For South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who emerged as Man of the Match in Tuesday’s game against Bangladesh, the UAE has always been special.
As an 18-year-old, he had produced a six-wicket spell against Australia in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The performance earned him a mention for being the “fastest and most feared bowler” in the competition.
Within a year of that show, Rabada made his Test debut against India and picked the prize wicket of Virat Kohli as his first scalp.
VVS at the Eden
Former India batsman VVS Laxman, who is here as a commentator, celebrated his 47th birthday with a small get-together at the hotel on Monday. Girban Chakraborty, the bio-bubble co-ordinator for the commentators, presented Laxman a portrait drawn by Shilpi Bhattacharya, an artist from Calcutta.
Told where the portrait was from, Laxman reflected on how the city will always be special for him. Who can after all forget the 281-run knock at Eden Gardens against Australia in 2001 and an unbeaten 176 against West Indies.
