SA vs IND 2018: Team India Takes Care of South African Bus Driver

The Indian cricket team has a huge fan following all around the world, thanks to their style of playing and generosity they show towards their fans. The Indian team players spend most of their time on the road, and their kind nature and attitude towards the support staff often tend to win their hearts. Another addition to their fan following is, South African team bus driver Andre Krog.

When the Indian team plays on foreign soil, they tend to travel by bus from one venue to another instead of travelling by air, which they are used to when they play at home. Travelling by road helps the players bond well with each other and the staff members around. The Indian team also bond well with the people involved in the behind the scenes functioning, and they very well did so with the South African team bus driver.

The bonding became so well that the driver cheered for the Indian team to win on the fifth day of the second Test.  Andre feels that for some in the South African unit, specifically one member, he is a part of the bus and not a part of the team.

Andre said:

“I have been travelling around with these boys for a while and even though the players are fantastic chaps, there is one official around, who, if he had his way wouldn’t even like to consider me as human. It is surprising how even though the players will be warm towards me, this official has a problem with me. I have been asked why I walked into the team hotel in the morning one of these days to order coffee for myself. This, after I was told by THE HOTEL that it was on them. To be honest, I didn’t know I didn’t even deserve a coffee after driving the players to the ground and back.”

“Look at the Indian guys on the other hand. Not only do they treat their driver (Ronnie Moodley) with respect and welcome him to be a part of the team, they are the ones who ensure that I get my water bottles and cool drinks when we (Roonie and me) are waiting out in the sun as the team plays in the middle. Is it not basic courtesy to check if I need some water or something else? The Indian players are so warm that they gave the driver tickets to bring his friends and family and in fact, I used one of those as one of my friends wanted to watch the game.”

When asked why he didn’t ask for tickets from Cricket South Africa, he said: 

“On some days, I am given my lunch coupon at 2pm when the man designated to hand the coupon realises that he had almost forgotten. So, you might as well realise how it is. I have my friends in the Indian team to help me out if needed.”

Andre was also asked the reason why he does not wear the South African jersey unlike the Indian driver, Andre said,

“Obviously. I do not want to be now pulled up for wearing the team jersey when I am not a part of the team. I am happy in my shirt given to me by my company.”

Follow More news about India’s tour of South Africa 2018 here.