Cricket Quips: Shoaib Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Harbhajan Singh

(A non-cricketing persona to begin with, but cricket aficionados will not fail to recognize his genius) 

What he said:

"This is not a family if no one plays soccer. No one is asking what can be done to improve soccer. There are motorcyclists, swimmers, race car drivers, but there is not one soccer player that can give advice."

Diego Maradona refuses to be part of the FIFA family.

What he really meant:

"At least I played the game. These guys treat players like we do footballs."

What he definitely didn’t:

"FIFA, live and learn from the BCCI."

(Assuming, of course, that Maradona follows cricket—Indian cricket.)

What he said:

"From being a master blaster, he is now a mistake-proof batsman."

Rahul Dravid describes the changes in Sachin Tendulkar’s approach to batting over the years.

What he really meant:

“Sachin is impossible to get out until he gets out.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Mistake-proof—that’s a fantastic new term. Is it patented?”

What he said:

“Satisfaction is like engaging the handbrake and hoping a car moves forward.”

Sachin Tendulkar says he is never satisfied while speaking to ‘Sky Sports Magazine’.

What he really meant:

“Satisfaction is a self-erected barrier to further successes.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“My replies are mechanic.”

What he said:

“Not everyone gets to be raja [king], some have to be mantri [minister].”

Harbhajan Singh is not too worried about being overlooked for the Indian ODI captaincy.

What he really meant:

“You’ve never heard of Birbal, have you? I think I’m Birbal to Raina.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Jodhaa Akbar.”

What he said:

“I don’t believe in teamwork; give me a team that works!”

Shoaib Akhtar asserts that it’s his favourite quote.

What he really meant:

“Teamwork is about doing your job and allowing, facilitating, and ensuring that your teammates to do theirs well or better.”

“Everyone works but not all pull in the same direction.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“’Working in Teams’ —That’s the next stop on my motivational speeches tour.”

Quote of the day:
The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught.—Marquis de Vauvenargues