assume that you are interviewing ab devillairs prepare a questionnaire and answers
Answers
How and why did you start playing cricket?
I have two brothers who were into cricket. I used to carry drinks for them while they played in the backyard of our house. My reward would be getting to bat at the end of the day! Sports is in my blood. I excelled in cricket at school, and always wanted to take it a bit further. I have not done too badly.
A cursory check on Google shows a variety of results with regard to your extra-curricular activities. How many of them are true?
Some of them are true, while others are not. I have played almost all sports growing up, but was not as good as mentioned. Like in the case of badminton, it is claimed that I was U-19 national champion. That is not true. There is also another lie being peddled stating that I was a recipient of the prestigious national medal from the Late Nelson Mandela for science projects.
Which other sports were you good at, apart from cricket?
Tennis was one of my strongest suits. Also rugby. It was very popular in my school. But slowly, as the years went by, my priority became cricket. But I loved playing tennis and rugby.
Favourite tennis player?
That’s a tough question. My heart says Roger Federer, but the sheer perseverance of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is admirable. I can connect with them a bit more, because of the effort they put in. Federer is a bit classical, prim and proper. Basically perfect! I can’t take one name because I really enjoy it when any one of them win something. It’s great that I belong to an age where tennis is of such high quality, and all three keep having their moments.
You were quite good academically as well. How did you juggle sports and studies? And, do you have any tips for budding sportspersons in India?
Balance is very important in both sports and life. If you can’t, you will fall off the rails at some point in life. Academics is also an important aspect, and all aspiring athletes should complete a basic level of education, as it will help them in the long run. My parents brought me up in such a way that I understood the importance of maintaining balance, and they really supported me in all my endeavours.
Your friendship with current South Africa captain Faf du Plessis is the stuff of legends. When did you guys meet, and how did the friendship start?
I met Faf when I was nine years old. Initially, we used to play cricket against each other. We finally played in the same team when we joined the same high school at the age of 14. The rest, as they say, is history!
You made the national team much earlier than Faf. Did your friendship suffer? If not, how did you guys still manage to keep things so smooth.
I’m aware of such things, as it happened all around me. But personally, that was never the case, mainly because of the way I was brought up. I was always taught the importance of relationships instead of focusing only on myself. And that has remained with me till date. Someone who is my friend will remain so till the day I die.
Favourite subjects while growing up?
My parents are doctors, so I grew up fascinated with the human anatomy. I saw quite a few things growing up! In school, I excelled in biology. Believe it or not, I was also good with numbers. You can ask me to verify, if you want!
You collaborated on a bilingual pop album titled Maak Jou Drome Waar (Afrikaans for Make Your Dreams Come True) with a friend and South African singer Ampie du Preez. How did your love for music begin?
The credit goes to my parents. They made me listen to some incredible music when I was growing up, the real deal as I call it. My grandfather was a great songwriter and that’s how I think the entire songwriting process started. It must have been passed on to me! I love writing songs but the performing part I’m not that good at, as I’m quite shy. But the writing and producing part comes quite naturally to me.
You are an accomplished guitar player as well. Any other instrument that you’ve tried to play?
I’m not that great a guitar player. I had a few piano lessons growing up. I memorised some of the classical parts to impress my wife. She is an incredibly talented pianist, and you can always listen to the sound of a piano in my house.
You proposed to your wife Danielle Swart in front of the Taj Mahal, in 2012. Why did you choose the Taj?
It’s a long story actually, and a long trip as well! I was supposed to be in India for a few months. I decided to get serious and while travelling around the country, I had the thought of visiting the Taj Mahal. Despite coming to India numerous times, I’d never actually got around to visiting the famous monument. Once I reached, the thought of proposing entered my mind, and what better place than the monument of love! I’m glad I chose the Taj, and now, it’s a memory to cherish for both of us, for the rest of our lives. I’ve never visited since then, but I really want to take my sons there soon.