‘I like to keep my life simple and normal’

He is a young and dashing cricketer who first held the bat and ball at the tender age of four and joined the National Cricket Academy when he was just seven years old. Today 19-year-old Unmukt Chand is the latest sensation on the Indian cricket scene.

“Fame just happened but at this moment now, I only want to do well for my country,” he says modestly. This young cricketer who has made the country proud is not fazed by the World Cup glory.Unmukt is already thinking ahead of how to prepare for his next innings for India A.

“I am in Bangalore only to concentrate for my next match which is coming up soon,” Unmukt tell us. From the time Unmukt won the Under-19 cricket World Cup for India, he has been facing a lot of scrutiny and making headlines. Basking in the success of being the Captain, the cricketer is of course, getting all the attention.  As a young cricketer, he is being compared to many of the seniors in the Indian Cricket team. Talking about his comparison to Virat Kohli and his batting style,  Unmukt says, “I have not tried to copy anybody. It is you guys who are making comparisons with other cricketers and not us. But I have been inspired by Virat as he has been playing for the last two to three years for the Indian team. His game is definitely an inspiration to me and to my young team,” he explains.

Winning also comes with a lot of pressure and more responsibility.

“I am not feeling any pressure as of now. I am enjoying the responsibilities thoroughly,” says the youngster who at his age would have loved to enjoy college life and be with friends. But Unmukt has not had the time to cherish college life yet.

“I have just come back from Australia and I am practising for the India A match. I will be flying off to New Zealand on September 14. Probably after my return, I will join college,” he says.

Life has changed for Unmukt even off the ground as he has gained celebrity status like other Indian cricketers. Are you making a special attempt to cope up with this? “Yes, I agree, there has been a lot of hype. Well I could manage that. But I am really happy playing cricket and preparing for the next match,” he said.

When not on the field, Unmukt loves reading and he carries a dictionary where ever he goes.

“I like to read books. So, whenever I find a new word, I check the meaning only to update my language,” reveals Unmukt who is currently reading Think Like a Winner by Yehuda Shinar.  Like other young boys, Unmukt also loves watching the latest films and hangs out with his friends. But his focus is presently only on cricket, and he says, “My manager is there to look after my work and endorsements. I would definitely say no to Bollywood as my priority is just cricket now.”

If not cricket, Unmukt probably would be playing some other sporting event equally successful as he says, “I am a national level swimmer.”

Ask him about his present lifestyle, the young cricketer signs off, “I like to keep my life really simple and normal.”