PERTH, AUSTRALIA // When Kevin O'Brien held a catch to dismiss the UAE's Krishna Chandran at The Gabba on Wednesday, the Irish slip fielder celebrated by standing on one foot and pointing both arms skywards.
He was adopting The Crane position, made famous by Daniel-san in The Karate Kid. Because they had just dismissed Krishna Chandran Karate, get it?
The UAE’s 30-year-old all-rounder had seen this coming. Before the national team departed on their World Cup voyage, the player who had hitherto been listed on teamsheets as Krishnachandran Karate had asked to drop the last bit.
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In every day life he is rarely known by his mother’s family name – which is pronounced “kaa-raa-te”. He knew it was eye-catching, but did not want to draw undue attention to himself for reasons other than his cricket.
He put in the request to be referred to as Krishna Chandran. However, Tyka Sports, the national team’s kit suppliers, had already made the shirts, with his previous moniker on the back.
“I was checking with the coach to see if the name on my shirt could be changed, but he said it was not possible,” Krishna said just before the side left Dubai.
“Let’s see if this is going to bring me luck. It is a cool name and will probably be a talking point during the World Cup. Let’s see if the extra focus on that can bring me some luck.”
How prescient. He should get used to the attention, anyway. The next time he takes the field, he and Swapnil Patil, the other Indian national in the side, will be a source of intrigue on both sides.
As the first expatriate from Kerala to play for the UAE, Krishna is likely to have a substantial supporter base back at home, even though he will be lining up against India in Perth on Saturday.
A giant screen has apparently been erected in his home village of Kollengode, in the centre of the southern Indian state of Kerala, especially for this one fixture.
Krishna, who speaks five languages fluently – Malayalam, Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada – wants to become a trailblazer for the substantial Keralan community in the UAE.
“What I know is that the biggest number of people who play cricket in Dubai are Pakistanis,” he said.
“When it comes to Indians, it is the Malayalee community, the people from Kerala, who play the most cricket.
“I was so happy to know I was the first Malayalee to play cricket for the country.
“That was a huge motivating factor for me. I hope in the future there will be more who get the chance to play.”
Krishna has lived in Dubai since 2010, when he was 25, having been recruited by a shipping company, safe in the knowledge he would strengthen their staff cricket team.
He has moved around employers since then, and has ended up in customer service for the cargo department of Emirates airline, as well as being the vice-captain of the staff team.
He was a contemporary of Stuart Binny, the India all-rounder, while at college in Bangalore.
He acknowledges this match does mean a little more to him than all the others.
“We have all been looking forward to all the games in the World Cup,” he said.
“But definitely when we play against our home countries – especially with India being one of the top teams – it is an amazing opportunity.
“It is a challenge and a wonderful feeling to get the chance to take up that challenge. To perform against them would be a dream come true.”
Krishna has quickly become a mainstay of the side, even more so since Mohammed Shahzad, another all-rounder who bats No 3, was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Aaqib Javed, the UAE coach, says he is a far improved player on the one who made his debut for the national team at the ACC Trophy in April last year.
“When he started with the UAE, from that Krishna to today’s, I think he has really grown,” Aaqib said.
“He was very skillful, but was lacking in self belief. I think he is more positive now.
“We have worked really hard with him, and even had a psychologist work with him for a few weeks.
“We wanted to make sure he was 100 per cent right physically and mentally and that he was more positive towards the game.
“Now he has a very proactive approach. We are lucky to have him.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
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Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
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