A disappointed Yohan Blake hinted about switching to cricket from the coming season and his good friend Chris Gayle is already on the job to help him get an Indian Premier League contract.
Athletics' loss could well be cricket's gain!
A disappointed Yohan Blake hinted about switching to cricket from the coming season and his good friend Chris Gayle is already on the job to help him get an Indian Premier League contract.
Just after finishing fourth in the 100m dash on Friday night, a visibly shattered Blake spoke about sport beyond track and field. Known as 'The Beast' amongst his rivals, Blake was back to his cheerful self while talking about his fast bowling abilities that may be a huge attraction to Indian teams.
"Hey, I really bowl fast. Be careful when you face me," he said in his typical manner but in a loud and clear voice on Sunday night.
Asked if Blake was just kidding, like the way he said after the London Games final in 2012, he said: "I'm serious about playing IPL. Hopefully, you guys (Indians) will see me in action this coming season," said Blake while sipping water from his bottle after the 100m burst in which he finished at 9.93s.
At 27, Blake still has a few years left in him in athletics. Whether it is his love for bowling fast or wanting to sample the atmosphere in IPL is not clear.
Blake hinted that fellow Jamaican Chris Gayle is helping him out to be in touch with the right people in India. There are any number of franchise holders who need more star value and Blake could fit the bill. And who knows, two new teams like Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants may well be interested in Blake to attract the sponsorship for their last season in the IPL.
However, there are a few technicalities which will need to be worked out in case Blake does get an IPL contract. The first thing is that Board of Control for Cricket in India would need a NOC from Jamaica's board before putting him in the IPL's pool of auctions.
Unlike 2012, Bolt seems a serious contender. He plays club cricket back home when he is not sharpening his skills in the 100m and 200m.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Yohan Blake")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}