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The South
Asian Life & Times - SALT |
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Contents Feature Heritage People
Book Reviews Kaavad
Traditions of Rajasthan
- exploring
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Q &
A with Gautam Gambhir
A
top-order batsman for India, he plays domestic cricket for Delhi, captains
Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, wins the IPL title twice
in three years, and believes he has not done “anything spectacular yet – the
best is still to come.”
Thirty-three year old
Gautam Gambhir has also seen ‘down days’ in his cricketing career but they
seem insignificant compared to his achievements that were once meteoric. In
the midst of his hectic cricketing schedule and family commitments, SALT
caught up with him in Delhi for a Q & A. When did you
first start playing cricket? Like most Indian kids I was always into cricket. My
days were spent playing the game and nights dreaming about it. Anything
round was a cricket ball for me and anything vertical was a cricket bat. I
was a dreamer, always wanting to play this great game. How
supportive were your parents in your decision to play cricket
professionally? They were fully supportive. In fact it was my
mother, Seema Gambhir, who pushed me into serious cricket. Till the summer
of 1992 I was playing cricket on the streets or parks but it was that year
that Mom took me to a cricket academy in Delhi. It was Playmakers Cricket
Academy near my house, close to Pusa Road, where I learnt the initial
nuances of the game. Does
recognition and popularity come with a price tag? Do you get any private
space in public spaces? Everyone loves to be popular and I am no different.
I love being recognised, being mobbed and in the heart of hearts thank
Almighty for what He has blessed me with. The other day I went to my Alma
Mater, Modern School, Barakhamba Road in New Delhi. I was the chief guest on
sports day and was being followed everywhere I went. I was mobbed, pushed
around for selfies but didn't mind it one bit. It was so much fun meeting
and gaining respect from the same teachers who I once dreaded. So, it's all
because whatever little I have done for the country and I am happy to be
mobbed. To be honest I dread the day when all of this won't happen. How is the
Indian Premier League experience? Especially as Captain of Kolkata Knight
Riders (KKR). Well, the IPL has been a roller coaster for me.
Personally, I had a great time with Delhi Daredevils and now the same with
KKR. As leader of KKR I feel like a father of a family where each kid (read
player) is different. On one hand I have a talent like Yusuf Pathan who is
emotional and on the other I have Sunil Narine who is quite and a different
individual. How do you
deal with frustrations on the field? I think God has his way
of preparing individuals for the challenges in their life. My life has been
full of frustrations and debacles. Earlier, I use to get worked up but as
time went by I learned how to handle the
downtime. I think all the challenges present in my younger life prepared me
for bigger and stronger challenges ahead.
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