Champion Speakers: Harsha Bhogle,Ravi Shastri,Andrew Strauss and Shane Warne

What he said:

“They are trying to be half-hour players; but for that, you’ll need to first be a good four-day player!”

Harsha Bhogle believes that T20 players have to be good at the longer formats first.

What he really meant:

“Longer version players can always adapt to the shorter version of the game. Vice-versa not quite!”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Half-an-hour of T20 at the IPL will keep selectors at bay.”

What he said:

“Your last game was a good tight game against … Whom did you beat?”

Ravi Shastri makes it obvious that he lost the plot but not the words.

What he really meant

“It’s all coming back to me now….But just in case, it doesn’t , can you tell me?”

“Too many IPL games, how do I make it apparent to the viewers?” (stage whisper)

“Aw, come on, you really think I care?” (sotto-voce)

What he definitely didn’t:

“These tight games, they’re so exciting, I can’t recall the teams or the players. At least, I recall yours.”

“I know—I like hearing the sound of my own voice.”

What he said:

“Winners party, losers sit at meetings.”

Shane Warne, explaining his leadership philosophy, to his Rajasthan Royals teammates.

What he really meant:

“Celebrate the wins, they’re hard-earned.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Don’t plan for the wins.”

What he said:

“I didn’t know whether to invite players or call snake charmers to get rid of the snakes that crawled all over.”

West Bengal’s sports minister, Madan Mitra, laments the state of Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, slated to host the Argentine soccer team on the 2nd of September, 2011.

What he really meant:

“I’m tearing out my hair in frustration and disbelief. I can’t walk around the ground, how will footballers play?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Let’s play snake-and-ladders instead.”

What he said:

“You’re worried that this might be the series when you’re finally outed as a fraud and not up to playing at this level.”

Andrew Strauss on the insecurities that bedevil a cricketer in his book, ‘Winning The Ashes Down Under: The Captain’s Story’.

What he really meant:

“As a cricketer, you have to face up to the truth that you are only as good as your last few innings. You start each series with a clean slate and past performances bring you no fresh laurels.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m a fraud.”

Quote of the day:
Every hero becomes a bore at last. - Ralph Waldo Emerson