Singing in the Raina

The best singer at a recent sports awards in Mumbai – Suresh Raina

One got to see Indian sports figures in a different light at the recent Sahara India Sports Awards in Mumbai. Sania Mirza compered. Some of the cricketers sang.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni showed quick wit when asked to choose a song for Osama Bin Laden. “Tere mast mast doh nain, Bush ka le gaye chain,” he sang consciously. Sachin Tendulkar had no answer when asked to pick one for Bobby Darling. “Anybody out there who can help me?” he said into the microphone. Sunil Gavaskar did a competent job with Chand si mehbooba hain meri, his favourite song. Shah Rukh Khan, the star anchor, joined him in the chorus. Shah Rukh also helped a struggling Shoaib Malik through a tuneless line or two of Main yahaan hoon from Veer Zaara.

The best singer? Suresh Raina. Told to croon a dedication for Aishwarya Rai, Raina launched into a high-pitched, controlled rendition of… er, we don’t remember. We were bowled over by the voice.

singingsports awardsSuresh Raina