AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Former Indian cricketer Krish Srikkanth with tennis players Karan Rastogi and Rafael Nadal during a promotional event at the Chennai Open tournament. Photo: A Prathap

        Krishnamachari Srikkanth is the last person to qualify as a cricket coach. In the days of promotional campaigns, the former Indian cricket captain is game to play his part. He presented world number two Rafael Nadal an autographed cricket bat setting the stage for the 'sixes act' of the Spain tennis wonder.

        Clean as a whistle, Nadal smacked the modest offering of 'bowler' Karan Rastogi in sweltering heat yesterday afternoon, more than 24 hours before the two test their tennis skills at the Chennai Open.

        A six screamed Srikkanth, taking the role of an umpire. After his 'cameo knock', Nadal had no complaints to hold a cricket bat. 'Cricket is not taboo back home though the chunk of coverage is on football and tennis. I do follow cricket with some similarity in the strokes of tennis. Now that I have a bat, will come back to India as a better cricketer,' said Nadal by way of a parting shot.

        Srikkanth had his words of wisdom for Rastogi. Keep fighting and never give up, was the gentle nudge before Cheeka got curious at Rastogi's ranking. 'You should get to 50 and improvise to 25 and make it to the top. In an individual sport like tennis, there is no room to stall the progress. Hard work and the will to achieve are the only factors.' Slipping back, like the time he slipped darting for a run in an one-dayer, Cheeka recalled the time when he almost quit, dropped from the Ranji Trophy but staying long enough to become the captain.

        Everyone's day made though the evening was a long way off.