NEW DELHI: When New Zealand quick Trent Boult was posed with a unique challenge -- how he would bowl the first over to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar? -- he offered an entertaining glimpse into his hypothetical strategy.
“All right,” Boult began, his voice tinged with playful confidence, “a very easy, very simple plan.”
His imaginative field setup kicked off with one slip instead of two—recognising Tendulkar's formidable presence at the crease—and then a cover, a point, a mid-wicket, and a mid-off.
Boult declared an audacious approach to unsettle the Little Master.
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He envisioned deceiving Tendulkar into thinking an in-swinger was coming, aimed at middle stump, luring him into a subtle push that would result in a mid-wicket catch.
Boult elaborated, "I'd even bring my cover fielder in close, making it look like a trap." But his ultimate move? The bait-and-switch.
“I’d run in, start my delivery, then change the plan completely,” he chuckled.
In this imagined face-off, Boult would bowl a surprise bouncer, targeting Tendulkar’s helmet. He saw Tendulkar attempting a hook shot and being caught by the leg-side fielder.
“First ball of the game—so easy,” he finished with mock bravado, knowing that such a feat is a bowler's fantasy against someone of Tendulkar's caliber.
Meanwhile, Boult has been showcasing his real skills in SA20 2025, representing MI Cape Town.
Despite his moderate tally of five wickets in seven matches, his team has claimed four wins, accumulating 21 points.
MI Cape Town sit second, seven points behind the David Miller-led Paarl Royals, who top the standings.
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