From throwdowns with Lara to lunch with Kohli
Chris Jordan, who was playing for the Karachi Kings in PSL before the season came to an abrupt halt, was supposed to join KXIP’S training camp ahead of IPL 2020.
something I enjoy a lot. I eld at slip, bat at seven or eight and sometimes open the bowling for Sussex. So I’m constantly evaluating myself when it comes to Test cricket and we’ll see where I get to.
When were you supposed to join the KXIP camp?
Our rst game was on the 30th (of March, against Delhi Capitals). I would have reached there at least a week before. I was looking forward to joining the camp. We had a wellbalanced squad and good management. Anil Kumble has lots of experience. He’s coached the Indian team. I wanted to work with him and others.
Thoughts on being part of RCB’S run to IPL 2016 nal?
That experience was surreal. I enjoyed that dressing room. That was because of characters like A. B. (de Villiers), Virat (Kohli), (Chris) Gayle, (Shane) Watson and the list goes on. Bowling in India is not easy. Outelds are quick, pitches are at and stadiums are relatively small. At Bangalore, you had to either execute everything perfectly or go out of the park and that changed my mentality. The constraint there taught me how to bowl as the margin for error was very less. As a bowler, you try to take control of your situation. Virat was very open to that. If things were to go wrong, he would come in and give his inputs. He, being one of the top batters in the world, knows how batsmen think. He and AB used to advise from that point of view. I was pretty relaxed.
Can you recall your early cricketing days in Barbados?
When I was a kid, I used to watch every game at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. I’ve seen Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop playing there. One evening, I stayed behind to give (Brian) Lara and (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul throwdowns. That was a special moment. I moved to England when I was 16 (200405). Years later, I got to interact with Lara when I was playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League). He’s such a nice guy.
You were friends with pop star Rihanna in school. Are you still in touch?
No, not really. However, her achievements are second to none. She was destined for it. She’s a real superstar and I’m very happy and proud of her.