Cook recalls holi with police chief, near-death experience in Mumbai

London, Mar 18 (UNI) England Test opener Alastaire Cook had ''25 near-death experiences during a short taxi ride in Mumbai'' and mishit holi colours at the city chief of police, little wonder then that he has described his experience in India ''an extraordinary adventure''.

''I am entering the final phase of what has been an extraordinary three-week adventure for me,'' cook wrote in ''The Times''.

''Bombay is a teeming, mad city full of life. It is a manic, noisy place where every road trip new adventure. In an effort to smarten myself up a bit, I went to a tailor's shop to be measured up for a suit, and we must have had 25 near-death experiences during a short taxi ride here.'' he added.

His holi celebrations were no less adventrous. Cook, who will miss the last Test bacause of a stomach ailment, tried to throw some colour at skipper Andrew Flintoff but the attempt mishit and he instead coloured the city police chief.

''It was all very civilised for a while, but then someone dumped a load of powder on Freddie and a huge powder fight broke out.'' ''I threw some at Freddie but missed and hit Bombay's chief of police. He seemed to take it pretty well but if I don't get out of the country next week then I'll know why,'' he quipped.

Talking about the humbling experience of visiting an orphanage with Flintoff, Shaun Udal, Monty Panesar and Paul Collingwood, Cook said he was touched by the trip.

''It was a really humbling experience for all of us. I spent a while chatting with some of the kids.'' Despite being one down in the series, Cook is hoping that the tourists will finish the series on a happy note.

''We know we are up against it and that India rarely lose here.

But records are there to be broken. We came here as massive underdogs and India were expected to win 3-0.

If we can fight and put them under pressure then you never know what can happen,'' he said.

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