EXCLUSIVE: Not Virat Kohli! Usain Bolt Names This Player As His Favourite Indian Cricketer | Cricket News

Usain Bolt. (PTI)

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has said that batting legend Sachin Tendulkar is his favourite Indian cricketer. In an exclusive chat with CNN News18, the legendary athlete was asked who his favourite Indian player was and Bolt replied with the obvious answer of Tendulkar.

Bolt has earlier revealed that cricket served as his inspiration to succeed on the track, driven by watching skilled cricketers push their limits and give everything on the field.

Even though Bolt named Tendulkar as his favourite Indian cricketer, when it came to favourite sportsperson, the answer was the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. The latter won gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics in the light-heavyweight boxing category and has two US National Championships gold medals to his credit.

Bolt, synonymous with speed and world records, retired with eight Olympic golds and 11 World Championship titles, an achievement unmatched in track and field history.

Bolt was also asked who, between him and his compatriot from Jamaica, Chris Gayle, is faster on the dance floor. The Olympian replied that while both of them are good at it, he would pick himself as the faster one.

Jamaica has given the world multiple cricketing greats, pacer Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, Gayle and Jeff Dujon, figures who may have played a role in inspiring Bolt.

At the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, the star Olympian had the chance to show his talent on the global stage in front of a home crowd. By age 15, he had already reached 6 ft 5 in, making him stand out among his peers.

Bolt claimed the 200m title in 20.61 seconds, just 0.03 seconds shy of his personal best of 20.58 set in the first round, becoming the youngest-ever world junior gold medallist. His medal streak continued at the 2003 CARIFTA Games, where he claimed four golds and earned the Austin Sealy Trophy as the competition’s most outstanding athlete.

More of a 200m specialist, his coach Glen Mills agreed to Bolt’s request to compete in the 100 m, entering him in the 23rd Vardinoyiannia meeting in Rethymno, Crete. In his debut, the latter seized the gold with a time of 10.03 seconds, fueling his passion for the sprint.

Bolt continued his rise at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, bagging a silver medal.

Bolt was in Mumbai on Wednesday for a Puma India event, as the legendary sprinter is their brand ambassador