One of the greatest Olympians of all time, Michael Phelps got a taste of cricket on as he watched the Indian T20 League match between Delhi and Chennai in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Rishab Pant (left) with Michael Phelps on Wednesday. Image/ Team Delhi media
The winner of an astounding 23 gold medals in the Olympics, Phelps was in town for promotional activity and dropped in for some time at the Kotla in the evening.
The 33-year-old from Baltimore, USA, is on his maiden visit to India. He came in after the match started and was around for an hour before leaving.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Phelps spent some time with the Delhi side too. Speaking on meeting the Delhi squad and watching the match on Tuesday, Phelps said, "I don't think cricket is my next sport but I loved seeing the match with the Delhi yesterday. It was nice to see how excited the crowd was, and to see how the players shift when there is a change of ends, or a dismissal. I loved watching the sixes yesterday, and definitely today has been about getting a couple of tips from the boys, starting with how to hold a bat. So I'm sure I will be better prepared to play cricket when I visit India next."
Delhi's wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant also shared a light moment with the swimming legend. When asked about how Pant would convince Phelps to play cricket, the young Indian said, "I would just tell him that he is most welcome to stay at my place for as long as he wants, where I can teach him how to play the sport." The 33-year-old American replied with, "That sounds good to me, and it means that I am coach-able which makes me happy."
