He was the talk of the cricketing world when he took that magnificent hat-trick against the Mumbai Indians. His team may not have won that game, but since then, RCB bowler Samuel Badree has been showered with compliments from fans of the sport. We caught up with the affable and well-spoken West Indian at the Puma store and he got candid about his early days, family and more.
Ask him about his rendezvous with cricket and he says, “My interest in the game began when I was a second grader. I was the youngest member of the team and we were playing the district finals against one of the best squads. We were heading for a sure defeat when the captain and the headmaster give me the ball. Everybody was like ‘why are you giving the ball to him?’ But I managed to pick up three wickets and later picked up six wickets. We ended up winning the game and that’s when my passion for the sport was ignited.”
Having made headlines with his hat-trick during which he didn’t give out a single run in that over, he says, “That was a bittersweet experience because we didn’t end up winning the game. But on the other hand, it was my first game for RCB and it was a really special moment. It will remain with me for the rest of my life.”
With his team having had a rather gloomy tournament till now, how has he dealt with the losses? “It’s tough to deal with them, especially if you’re away from family. When you go back to your room and there’s no support there, it becomes more difficult. Thankfully, there’s technology and I get to talk to my folks, find out about the things they’re up to and keep my mind away from cricket for a while. This way, I rejuvenate myself and gear up for my next challenge,” he reveals, adding, “Also, Virat is incredibly positive and that rubs off on us in the dressing room.”
When he’s not showcasing his bowling skills, Badree likes to be the doting daddy. “I take my kids to play parks and movies. We even go on vacations to islands in the Caribbean or even to the US. I will not sit and watch cricket on TV - I like to spend my time away from the game as much as possible. I have a job that keeps me occupied,” he shares.
As someone who’s often stepped out of his hotel to explore Bengaluru, Badree is bowled over by the city’s culture and history. “In fact, the guys from the other teams are a little envious of us! We did visit a couple of restaurants and places here. As much as we are here to play cricket, we’re also here to understand what Incredible India is all about,” he says.
