As avid cricket fans will remember, Henry Olonga played his last game for Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup, where former teammate Andy Flower and he wore black armbands in protest of President Robert Mugabe’s rule, mourning the ‘death of democracy’.
As an Indian, when you think of Henry Olonga, you think of this.
Or this.
Or maybe even this.
But probably not this.
Yep, Henry Olonga, stunned the judges during a blind audition for The Voice Australia, with his incredible singing. The former Zimbabwe pacer sang a rendition of This is the Moment to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Death threats and a tenuous situation back home forced him to live in exile, finally relocating to Australia. He touches upon his situation in the video below.
Exiled for protesting the death of democracy. Catch Henry Olonga’s Blind Audition TONIGHT, 7.30 on @Channel9 #TheVoiceAU pic.twitter.com/PtHChI2WNb
— The Voice Australia (@TheVoiceAU) May 27, 2019
And the standing ovation of the crowd wasn’t enough, the internet was blown away by his performance too. Former colleagues also hailed him:
Great Job Bud… loving it..from the first time I heard you sing .. I have always been impressed..@henryolonga . The Blind Auditions: Henry Olonga sings ‘This Is the Moment’ | The Voice… https://t.co/J8pbCrvHO9 via @YouTube
— Shaun Pollock (@7polly7) May 27, 2019
Just watched @henryolonga on @TheVoiceAU, what a great performance. Good luck Henry!
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) May 27, 2019
This is bloody Fantastic … https://t.co/5WGaGWY7vw
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 28, 2019
Followed, of course, by the rest of Twitter.
This is the bowler Sachin took apart. What a mind boggling transformation.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 28, 2019
Henry Olonga. Watch
pic.twitter.com/ZhGkJUQ8jM
This is awesome, and makes me very happy. Henry Olonga can sing! He’s incredible. Also, what a story. https://t.co/azJiHUwzvg
— Chinmay Bhogle (@chinmaybhogle) May 28, 2019
Genuinely so bizarre and cool.
— Achhe Kachhe (@superchaddi) May 28, 2019
I stopped following cricket so long ago that the players who were around when I watched have stopped in time for me – frozen in their athletic prime.
Henry Olonga is a pro tenor. Next you’ll tell me Marvan Atapattu directs avant garde cinema. https://t.co/SWlnbrBr3Z
This was a tear jerker @henryolonga – had to lie to the missus that I had something in my eye 🙈
— Mike Madoda🇿🇼 (@mikemadoda) May 28, 2019
We have not forgotten. You stood up when very few would’ve even contemplated the thought 🇿🇼
This Is the Moment – The Voice Australia … https://t.co/KxMOREM4HD via @YouTube
The man himself replied to his new fans on Twitter.
Thanks bro. Bowing now. I love you Indian supporters. I get more love from you than some of my own. 😢😢😢😢
— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) May 28, 2019
Yes been hiding away practicing
— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) May 28, 2019
Thank you. Humbled. Still trying to work this craft though and find my place 😊
— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) May 28, 2019
And yes, we’ll give him this one.
But the WC 99 came AFTER Sharjah. Remember that? 🤣😅😆😉
— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) May 28, 2019