Former West Indies sprinter Dwayne Smith is competing in the International Master League 2025, which is now taking place in Vadodara for the first time. Six teams are vying for the title in this unique competition, which has brought back a number of historical legends.
Smith recently talked about his life after retiring from international cricket, his experience playing against Sachin Tendulkar, and his reunion with his colleagues at the West Indies Masters.
Why is Sachin Tendulkar so unique? He is in his own right a legend. Individually. How much of an inspiration has a legend like him given you?
When I was playing with him, I always wanted to know who I was playing with and who I was hanging out with, so I would want to stay close to him whenever I was at Mumbai [Indians]. As a result, I constantly stay with him and ask him questions. In addition, he has been incredibly understanding. His interactions with the local lads have also been excellent. He is always imparting his wisdom, and how he used to train for cricket shows why he was so great.
Discuss your tournament experience thus far with us. Numerous friends of yours have played both with and against you. How have things been?
It’s been going great so far. We had two wins to start the competition, so two out of two is excellent. The boys must be positive. With our captain returning for this match, there should be some thrilling cricket in the future.
You and that prince [Brian Lara] have played a lot of games together. How does it feel to relive those moments and how unique it has been to play with him and be led by him?
It’s unique because I was there when he broke the record for the first time as a young man, played on the squad, and it happened on my birthday. I’ve had some very fantastic partnerships with him, so I enjoyed batting with him, and it’s really easy up there when he’s out there. For him, hitting the 400 was a dream come true, you know.
What has Dwayne Smith been doing lately? What will happen following the International Masters League?
Although it’s been great, I hope to have some more leagues. This International Masters League, in my opinion, is growing. I would therefore really like to travel to other nations, such as Australia and South Africa. Currently, there is one in England, and we are working to get one in the West Indies. We are hoping that someone will support it, but I’m sure that will also be beneficial.
Many of your teammates have also been playing here, both with and against you. The God of cricket, Sachin Tendukar, is a member of one of the teams, the India Masters. It will be a few days before you play against him. Tell us about the times you spent playing with him. How does playing against him feel?
It is quite easy to play with him. He told me to maintain hitting the ball straight and to play, not to go cutting or pulling across the line, during our first year of IPL batting together. He was doing the exact opposite. Then he walked down and simply grinned at me, saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” That quote stuck in my head ever since.
I always had to go behind him because that’s the great man, so it was a dream come true to be out there with one of cricket’s greats when I returned to Mumbai and we were opening the batting. It was also a unique experience to walk up behind him. I’m walking up behind him, and I’m not sure who’s supporting me. Even though I know they might be cheering for me too when he goes out and they are cheering so loudly, it’s still fun to play with and against these men.
An appeal to all of your supporters who hope to see you go back in time during the next game.
Absolutely, just show up and show your support. I’ll try my best to entertain the guys there.
India
