Brendon McCullum is amazed at the crazy following he has in Kerala

Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand cricketer, has a special connection in India. Yes, he plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the swashbuckling batsman is famous in Kerala as one of the travellers from the Kiwi country experienced during her visit to India. McCullum was made aware of the same by one of his friends on Twitter and he was all praise of Kerala and termed it as a fantastic place.

McCullum also featured for the now defunct franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the IPL and played some memorable knocks for them. Very few have forgotten the way he had begun the T20 extravaganza of India back in 2008 with a whirlwind knock of 158 runs in the first ever IPL game against the RCB. He remains a popular figure in Kerala even after years and the people identify the travellers from New Zealand with his reverence.

Traveller’s experience in Kerala

A traveller named Virginia Winder wrote an article in the stuff.co.nz about her experience being in Kerala and how the name of Brendon McCullum helped her break the ice in the God’s own country with her husband. “You don’t know me, but as far as the people of Kerala, India, are concerned, we are dear friends, if not family. My husband and I have just returned from a holiday in the southern-most state of the world’s second-most populated country, and you helped break the ice. Big time,” she wrote.

She also added that whenever they used to say that they were from New Zealand, they were identified only be his name. She also recalled how a 20-year-old person expressed his love for the former Kiwi skipper. “Whenever we mentioned we were from New Zealand, men of all ages, especially younger ones, would speak your name with reverence. “Brendon McCullum is my heart,” Dil, 20, from Thrissur, hand on the chest like a man standing for a national anthem, said,” she further wrote.

Kerala is a fantastic place

Brendon was made aware of the same by one of his friends on Twitter at how he has made an influence in one of the most scenic places in India. His friend with the name James McOnie quoted him in a tweet which read, “@Bazmccullum Thought you might enjoy this. Apparently, you’re kind of a big deal in India. My friend wrote this after her travels there.”

The 36-year-old was quick to respond as he was effusive in his praise for Kerala and also recalled the time when he played for the Kochi Tuskers franchise a few years ago. He also didn’t forget to thank Virginia who was very happy after knowing that a cricketer from her country was loved so much in India and especially in Kerala.

“Thanks for passing on mate. Kerala is a fantastic place and I enjoyed my time playing for Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the @IPL a few years back. Appreciate your kind words Virginia and I’m very pleased to hear you had such a great time over there,” McCullum’s response read.

Here’s the thread:

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