Ex-hockey skipper Viren Rasquinha, cricketer Jemimah Rodriques bond over lunch

Viren Rasquinha and Jemimah Rodrigues enjoy lunch PicsShadab KhanTheres a 20year age gap between our two interviewees But it doesnt hamper a freeflowing conversation between Viren Rasquinha and Jemimah Rodrigues Rasquinha takes a keen interest in the cricket journey of Rodrigues who arrives at The Nutcracker Bandra straight from a practice session and will head out to Vasai for an outreach programme post the interviewThat Rodrigues first started as an under17 hockey player for Maharashtra serves as a common ground for both She wouldnt remember it but I have seen her play hockey in school at the rink hockey tournament I organise every year Rasquinha tells us sipping on fresh mint lemonadeThe duo bond over their love for the sport while indulging in wholesome pasta and sandwichesDhara What made you pick cricket over hockeyJemimah I love hockey I want to play hockey too but I dont get the time There was a time when I played both but I did better in cricket than hockey It was a difficult choice to makeViren I too played football for Mumbai before hockey My first love is football But I reached a better level in hockey Also I wanted to play in the Olympics and our football team didnt qualify for the Olympics at that time I love all sports I have also played cricket hideandseek mdash all at gully levelDhara How does it feel to play for the countryJemimah Its the dream of every child When I picked up the bat or the hockey stick it was my dream to play for India and I cant believe that I am living it Standing in the stadium when the national anthem plays gives me goosebumps The whole country is watching Viren Very few can live their dream For me to captain India to play at the Olympics and win a medal were my dreams The first two got fulfilled I still remember the moment when I captained India for the first time it was an IndiaPakistan test series in Chandigarh with 40000 people in the stadium It was an amazing feeling When we walked into the stadium for the first match at the 2004 Athens Olympics against Holland the whole stadium stood up for the anthem it was something People dont see that it takes 10 years of hard work to reach there You fail so many times before you taste success it teaches you a lot But what I couldnt do as a player I want to help the next generation of athletes achieve with Olympic Gold Quest Rasquinha is the CEO of the organisation that works with athletes such as PV Sindhu MC Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal I want to ensure that todays athletes dont face the problems that I did To win an Olympic medal we need better coaching training facilities and support staffDhara to Viren How long will it take for India to increase the medal tally at the OlympicsViren The aim should be to be in the top 10 countries with a target of winning 10 medals If we are lucky and prepare well it is achievable in the next OlympicsWarm Lebanese sandwich penne arrabbiata and hummus avocado toast arriveViren Wow I have ordered a lot I really like their hummus and pita The Lebanese sandwich is my favourite from the order Do you want to have dessert JemimahJemimah Ill have the blueberry cheesecake Once a week I keep a cheat day and today is that day grins I love the pastaDhara Do you find time to eat out in BandraJemimah I tour a lot but when I am at home I head to Carter Road promenade with my brothers and cousins for shawarma Viren I drop by Bandra Gymkhana with my family I also like Salt Water Cafeacute My wife and I like doing Sunday breakfasts We either go to Suzette or Eat Around the Corner We also drive to Madras Cafe and Cafe Mysore in MatungaDhara How do you feel about cricket being the most followed sport in IndiaViren My thoughts vary From the management side we have lessons to learn The cricket body does a wonderful job in marketing the sport well Look at the quality of infrastructure and support staff We crib too much rather than going with a begging bowl to corporates we should go with a plan and the right people to execute it Look at the league matches its a great opportunity for young players to play with big names Jemimah T20 2018 has given a great opportunity to young players even those who would just be called to bowl in the nets We need a womens league too thoughQuick takesPrematch foodJemimah I start with cheese omelette sausages and juice Viren I am a nonfussy eater As a player you have to eat what you get because you are on the movePrematch stress busterJemimah Reading the Bible or spending time in prayer I listen to music tooViren I used to get in my zone by being quiet in a cornerHobbies alongside of sportJemimah Playing the guitar I carry a small one when I tour It helps me switch off from cricket and bond with my teammates Viren Playing with my fouryearold daughter I take her to play football hockey gymnastics any sportRole modelsJemimah I grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar because of my brothers Now I like Rohit Sharma and Mithali Raj because of her consistency also PV SindhuViren Dhanraj Pillay He had come for an exhibition match to my school once I went to watch it in spite of my exams and shook hands with him Six years later I played with him for IndiaAlso ReadCommonwealth Games 2018 India Should Reach Final Says Viren RasquinhaCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates