Beyond The C-Cup

It was an unusual way to introduce the newest player of the Deccan Chargers squad. “The doctor’s come all the way from Australia. Dr Daniel Harris,how are you liking India?” asked cricket veteran and commentator Sunil Gavaskar as the Deccan Chargers readied to play against Mumbai Indians last week. Playing his first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL),Harris has stepped into the role of a batsman for his team. “Yes,I am always quizzed on being a doctor,” said Harris who “enjoyed playing cricket” while studying medicine. Though he is a qualified doctor,Harris is also a full-time cricketer,often approached by teammates with health queries.

The 32-year-old isn’t the only cricketer straddling two careers. On the field,Australian player Adam Gilchrist is the coach and captain of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and one of the best wicket-keepers for his side. But not all his fans in India know that Gilchrist is also the director of a Perth-based sandalwood supplier called Tropical Forestry Services (TFS) Corporation. The company operates sandalwood plantations spread over 5,000 hectares in Western Australia. Having been associated with the company since its birth,Gilchrist feels it’s important for cricketers to have interests off the field as well. “It’s good to have a Plan B. Though,for most of us,cricket is first love,it makes business sense to pursue other interests as well,” says the KXIP captain. Using the same man-management skills he uses as captain,‘Gilly’ has,in the past,stepped into the role of an ambassador in India. Associated with the Australian University of Wollongong,the cricketer toured Indian cities last year to encourage students to apply.

It’s not just international cricketers who multi-task. Brand endorsements apart,most cricketers are looking to extend their innings with business interests. Fast bowler Zaheer Khan,who plays for Mumbai Indians,is an investor in the new lifestyle brand Sher Singh,promoted by global online retailer Exclusively.in. The contemporary range of apparel for men and women has a special ‘cricketing line’ with Khan as its ambassador. “Apart from being the face of the brand,Zaheer Khan has invested in the company and is closely associated with the design and functioning of the label,” says Exclusively.in’s CEO Sanjay Guleria.

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S Sreesanth,a Rajasthan Royals player,likes to dedicate his off time to his band S-36. “My role in the band is something I am serious about. It’s all about team effort,but I generally compose the lyrics and play the drums,” says Sreesanth. Though,he admits,taking out time can be an issue,it’s worth it. “For me,it’s a stress-buster,” says Sreesanth,who is looking to cut an album soon.

Not all cricketers have successful off-field ventures. Spinner Harbhajan Singh had opened a hair salon,Sylvie’s,in Chandigarh in a partnership deal. Dogged by controversies,the salon had a short innings.