Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Kaif talk about their early struggle with English language

Both Bhajji and Kaif shared their funny anecdotes of decoding the language.

Harbhajan Singh and Mohammed Kaif. (What the duck)

English can often be mistaken as a status symbol and misunderstood for knowledge, in countries like ours. The cricketers, especially, are often being made fun of for not speaking it fluently and in a swift manner, which is absolutely wrong. They are there to play the sport at which they excel, not to try and excel at a certain language.

Cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Kaif though, take this culture in a very fun manner. They were recently present at the show "What The Duck" hosted by the famous comedian Vikram Sathaye and gave an insight into their early struggle with the language while playing for the country on tours to countries like England.

Harbhajan recalled an incident when he was asked by an English reporter if he had completed his graduation. Singh got tangled in the accent and took graduation for reservation and replied, “Haan sir, reservation ho gayi hai. Mai nikal ja raha hoon (yes sir, I have got reservation done and I am going tomorrow).”

Mohammad Kaif, who was sitting alongside his former India teammate said  “In England those days, you had to hand over the keys of your room to the reception desk and then collect it when you return. One day after I returned to the hotel, I went to the receptionist and said--key—signaling her to return my keys. However, she asked me to say ‘may I have the keys, please. I repeated ‘key please’ but she kept on urging me to say ‘may I have the keys please’. Finally, I went to my room partner and asked him to collect it saying I was not able to understand her,”

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 30 May, 2018

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