From fearing for life to doing bhangra

On Sunday he thought coming to India was putting his life in grave danger. On Tuesday he was dancing bhangra in Chandigarh. You have to hand it to Ravi Bopara, who made the most dramatic statement on security, reports Ashutosh Sharma.

On Sunday he thought coming to India was putting his life in grave danger. On Tuesday he was dancing bhangra in Chandigarh. You have to hand it to Ravi Bopara, who made the most dramatic statement on security: “Cricket is my living and in many ways my life. But it is not worth dying for”, and then became one of the first foreign players to arrive in India for the IPL.

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Understandably Bopara did not want to speak to the media, perhaps because his foot was still in his mouth, but he did attend a promotional engagement for his team, the Kings XI Punjab, and then speed away to the nets for a practice session at the PCA Stadium.

Only three days ago Bopara raised serious concerns about security in India, referring to a report by security expert Reg Dickason. Bopara said he needed to weigh the pros and cons, and that it would be a tricky call, whether to come to India or not.

Kings XI batsmen must be queuing up to bat alongside Bopara, for if the speed with which he made this call is anything to go by, running between the wickets with the England batsman will be a breeze.

While Bopara’s doubts have mysteriously vanished in 48 hours, uncertainty of a different kind lingers over another of KXIP’s foreign players. Brett Lee, who is recovering from elbow surgery, has also checked in, and sent down few overs in the nets.

“Our physio Patrick Farhat has met him and he is still doing rehab,” explained Col. Arvinder Singh, KXIP vice-president.

“We will wait for his fitness status till March 11 and then decide.”

Perhaps Lee could take a few tips on making the uncertain certain from his colleague.