Unmukt Chand on Indian team, Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit, BCCI, Politics, U-19 World Cup & More |@RJRaunac

I played for India for 4 years. All the players who played in my captaincy, all of them played for the country. But I didn't get any matches that year. I think I played against 30-40 players throughout the season. But I didn't get a single game.

So do you think you had a political relationship with Unmukh?

Yeah, I saw Virat growing in front of me. Because he won the World Cup 4 years ago. And then obviously, before the U19 World Cup, when I started playing Ranji Trophy, I shared the dressing room with him. Unmukh, is there a reference in cricket? If your friend is a big player, or you have played with him, he knows you, he can push you forward, he can get you into the team.

When I played my first season in the IPL in 2011, I played my first match against Mumbai Indians, and I got bowled Malinga. So I hit a shot and I got bold. For a year people were telling me that Malinga is coming. When you started IPL, at that time IPL used to be very controversial. There were a lot of parties, a lot of politics.

Have you seen all this? Have you faced it?

I am infamous in this world. You tell me what story has come in your ears?

So playing cricket in the US and not being selected for the T20 World Cup. How heartbreaking was that?

When things are meant to happen, the whole universe goes against you. And when they are not meant to happen, you can do anything but nothing happens.

Dhoni should have retired before this IPL.

I feel so.

Best ever IPL captain. Shane Vaughan Dhoni.

Dhoni.

Dhoni Rohit Sharma. Dhoni Rohit Sharma Dhoni Gautam Kumpir Welcome to the Raunak Podcast You are watching Unmukt Chand A name that was on the lips of every cricket fan after 2012 After winning the U19 World Cup Everyone said, next Virat Kohli

But what happened after that? Struggle in IPL Politics in the selection And then a bold decision, Leaving India and shifting to the USA. Did BCCI unfairly treat Unmukt?

Did exposure become the reason for their downfall? Did they win the dream of cricket by going to the USA? Today we are meeting a cricketer Who has written his own story. Highs, lows, and then a new chapter. This podcast is not just about cricket, friends.

It is about a person's emotions, struggle and second innings. It is about his strength and his thinking. So, join us for an honest, raw and emotional conversation. Please welcome Unmukh Chand. Welcome, brother.

How are you doing?

I am fine. First tell me, how should we stop age? What is the strategy? That you stop there and not move ahead in age.

I don't know. I feel God has been kind enough. And I think good food. More than that, healthy mindset. Okay. Positive mindset.

Some spirituality. And a very good wife. good wife is the key.

Yes.

Wow! You have hit the jackpot on the first ball.

No, no, that's the truth. I mean if you are happy at home, if you are happy at home, then I think because you spend the most amount of time at home, right? So if that is a very healthy environment, positive environment, then I think it makes a huge difference in whatever you do. So I guess the strength is also coming from there.

So you are saying that marriage is beneficial.

Can you say that? Yes, I have definitely experienced it for sure. And I think life has changed in so many different ways. But it's beautiful. I have been very lucky to find a partner who has been very, very supportive and very strong.

And our fields are also like that, where she's a nutritionist.

Of course.

I'm a cricketer. So very similar interests, very similar things we do. Or we eat good food. We try to keep ourselves in good companies and read good stuff. So I think all those things, it all makes a big difference in overall personality and how you look at things. So a perspective shaping

is very good. I remember after winning the 2012 U19 World Cup, when you came back to Delhi you came to our studio. We we interviewed you on the radio. We didn't call it a podcast but we talked about a lot of things. A lot of things are going to happen today. It will be about cricket, personal life... ...what you have to do in your career, what goals you have set, we'll talk about all that.

The first question that comes to mind is... ...when you win the U19 World Cup and then suddenly the media starts telling you the next big thing in Indian cricket, you start comparing it to a big player, next Virat Kohli. So does all this motivate a player or is it a pressure?

I think again it's about how you look at it, what is a pressure. I think, again, it's about how you look at it. Your perspective. For me, it definitely motivated me. Because obviously, I saw Virat growing in front of me. Because he won the World Cup four years ago. And then obviously, before the U19 World Cup, when I started playing Ranji Trophy,

I shared the dressing room with him. So he was an inspiration to me, definitely. And when people compare you to them then it's always that I have that inspiration if people are comparing me to them I have to step up to fill those shoes, to be able to come to that level

so I think it was very motivating for me and I've always looked at it like that I mean, people can also look at it from a different lens but for me it has always been very motivating and inspiring.

So 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008. Did you ever talk to Virat Kohli during this time? I mean, did you talk to him a lot? How much time did you spend together?

Look, my first season for Delhi was in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, in 2009. OK. So in 2009, we went to play in Sirsha for one day. And Virat Kohli was part of the team at that time. And we had a lot of conversations with him, obviously sharing the dressing room with him for the first time. So I think he played a lot for Delhi during that time.

He played for one days and then later in 2010 when my Ranji Trophy debut happened, he was there too. And then I think after 2012 when the Challenger trophy was won, we played as teammates. So we used to talk a lot. And obviously, he was knocking the doors. He had played for India.

So and see, in Delhi, he had done the heroics in the U-15, U-17, U-19. So after that, you keep watching him playing. And you learn a lot. There's a lot of things and when you are playing for the same team, then it's a different thing.

Which position did he play and which position did you play?

So I always opened and Shikhar and I used to do the opening and one down was Virat.

Okay.

So I have been batting with him a lot and I have learnt a lot. And definitely people used to look up to his batting, the way he used to bat at that time. And his mindset as a player, that is something which is very, very special.

But if I talk about fitness, like I told you, your age seems to have stopped. Exactly 13, 14, 15 years ago when we met, you still looked exactly like this. You still look the same, I am not exaggerating at all. You can go and compare those photos on the internet yourself. You'll know why I'm saying this. But Virat has often said, and he has said it many times,

that the awareness about fitness, how I look, or how my body is, came a little later. So you saw him later, what else to eat, what not to eat, that awareness came a little later. I mean, he mentioned IPL, that once I got up in IPL, I saw myself in the mirror. So, have you ever observed this? He was a little chubby before.

He was not that. Yes, I mean, obviously, it was his story. But if I talk about myself, I was always very much into fitness. My uncle was in the army and since childhood, I used to run a lot. I used to train a lot with him. So, since childhood, I had this DNA that I have to train, I have to do these things. Even when I talk about school days, not a single day in school days has gone by that I have gone to school by bus. So, it's always been like 6 o'clock in the morning. If we have practice, then we will have practice. And if not, then I will go to train. So, do train at least 5-6 days a week.

Whether it's my gym work or my running work. So, I've never differentiated training from my game. I feel it is a part of what you do every day. And maybe that's why I never got the day to do something like do this, that I am getting fat or something. So training has always been the most important thing for me before anything else.

So what is your general suggestion or advice to youngsters that what is the right age to start training?

Yeah, I think there is no right age. Whenever you start, training is always good. I mean, the forms change.

Okay.

Because I remember, the gym I started properly was when I was doing NCEA. So, when we were introduced to the gym for the first time in NCEA, and introduced to training. So, I think it was 16, I was 16 that time, 15 or 16 that time.

Okay.

But before that, whatever training I used to do, Bodyweight push-ups, bodyweight exercises, and I used to run a lot. So running was a part of my daily routine. And plus, you play so much, you are playing cricket, but at the same time, you are playing football in your apartment, and other sports as well. So anyways, you are very active.

So in fact, I would say that in younger days, you should play as many sports as possible because because you are growing in so many different ways. And also you are learning ways. If you play team sport, it's teaching you so many things. And you get fitness in that. So you don't have to do it very mechanically that I have to train. But yes, after a point of time, once you are 16-17, then you can start prioritizing that you want to do according to your sport.

Then you can start doing those things.

Absolutely. So, when did you start? What was the moment when you felt that you want to become a cricketer? And you started training for that. What was your age?

Yeah, a lot of things happened naturally with me. Because I was 4 years old when I first started playing cricket. I must have started it in at home, on the terrace. And then I used to play in my apartment. In the apartment, everyone... People can see that he's playing well.

So, they told my parents that I can put him in an academy. During that time, obviously, because I was so interested in it, I had a park near my house. My joint family was there, my uncle and dad. They used to take me to the park. I used to bat for 2-3 hours and they used to put the ball in my hands.

They saw my passion and even in the cold, they used to tell me to wake up early in the morning and play. So, my family members saw my passion and realized that it's very inherent. It's not common for a 6-7 year old. So then we should pursue it properly. When I was 9 years old, I joined the National Stadium for the first time.

Mr. Imbi Singh was my first coach. I started my cricket training formally there. It started from 3 days And then it became regular. And during this time, I was in school team. I was in DPS Noida. So, I was too young.

So, they didn't take me in the school team. But to enhance my cricket, my father put me in swimming. So that, swimming helps in building your stamina and strength. So, you know, do that. So, I was also conscious of those things.

So I swam and in fact, I swam till the nationals. And then eventually, when I started playing cricket in school, I started playing cricket too. And that's how my journey was. But it was very, very natural, very organic. In fact, I remember when I was 7-8 years old,

when the kids were playing downstairs, I used to refuse them many times that I am not coming because there was a fixed time that all the kids will meet downstairs at 5 and then we will play a match. Whatever. That I am doing my training. So, I am lifting a bat at home and holding it for a minute or doing some training at home by doing shadow drills by putting the ball.. So those things were so natural that I never felt it was hard work.

So I felt that, I think, in a way, cricket chose me, I would say, rather than me choosing cricket. So naturally, things just happened by themselves.

Amazing. Then cut to 2012-19 World Cup final. You are playing in Australia. You're playing against Australia. Your opponent at the opening got out on 0. Then you score a century and win the match. You become the World Cup winner captain.

How much pressure was there? What was going on in your mind at that time?

At that time, somehow I was in a zone. When you're not thinking anything, you're in a proper zone.

So, obviously, a lot of things go behind the scenes. in a zone, which is called when you're not thinking anything, you're in a proper zone.

So, obviously a lot of things go behind the scenes, which we can talk about today. But also,

I was only seeing the target at that time, that how can we cross 225 and win this tournament.

Because nothing else mattered more. We, the three years of hard work as a group of 15 people. There were some changes. Which started with our NCA days. Cut down to shortlisted to 15 players. Asia Cup happened. Another Triangular Series was held in India. Then another Triangular Series was held in Australia. We won all of them. So that proper group was formed. So it was very very evident that we are going to the World Cup

and we are going very strong because we have won all three tournaments. And we have to win this. We have to win this and we have been winning. So there was no if and but. We have been winning. This was the mindset with which we went to Australia. We lost the first match. But I always feel that it's a blessing in disguise because that's the time when you tell yourself, pull your socks up. Now there's no... this every game is a knockout. So... but then obviously, when you win a World Cup, right? I clearly remember World Cup, before the final

match, when we were standing in the team huddle, the only thing I said was that this is the last time we'll be playing together as a team. We'll be playing as opponents. Later we'll play in the World Cup, somewhere, we will play in the IPL, but as a team, this is the last game for us. So, it was a very emotional moment for me personally and I am sure for others as well. Because that journey of 3 years was culminating that day. So, let's put our best foot forward, let's enjoy each other's company today. And that is what we are concerned about.

Winning, losing, itarat Arun was our coach, R Shridhar was there. And these guys were so supportive over the years for us. That we have to win this match for them as well. That we will give them this award. So when you go to do it for others,

automatically you do get the best out of yourself. Absolutely. So this was the underlying feeling behind all the things which went on that day. And somehow, you know, sometimes miracles happen. So obviously, I could play that innings that day. And we won the World Cup.

Which was a very proud moment for all of us and so many people.

So for a cricketer, ...winning a big tournament puts more pressure on him.

Or if he loses, it puts more pressure or if they lose, it would have been more pressure. I never thought about it that way because when you are playing a tournament, when you are in that present moment, obviously you want to win that thing. What will happen after that, you don't know it, right? Because even for us, that quarterfinal match with Pakistan, that was a very defining moment for us because we were chasing some 120 something.

Was Sarfaraz was there, right?

I guess a lot of players were there in that. Babur was there. Sarfaraz, I don't think so. Zia, Allah, Kaisan, Adil, Usman, Kadir, a lot of players were there. We were chasing 120-125 and we took it very lightly and somehow we were like 9 out of 100. The last 27-28 was their partnership and that saved us the game.

And when we won that day, we knew that this is our World Cup. Now, it can't happen. If we come back from here, that would have been the most nervous moment. But after that, we were very clear about it. This is ours. And when you are just playing the World Cup, right? I mean, you... There was no normal match after the World Cup.

You want to win the game. That's the most important thing. And also, thankfully, we were in Townsville. So, there were not many people there. So, even we won the World Cup. We didn't know what was happening in India. When we landed in India, we could see that

10,000 people are waiting for us, we had become household names, so much is happening. So that was a again a blessing in disguise for us because we didn't know what was happening because that creates pressure. Sometimes when you find out that there is so much buzz going on behind you and we were very new to all these things so that's why maybe it could have affected us. But because we were away in Australia, we did not get to know what we had achieved. We got to know about the magnanimity of it when we came to India.

So generally, a cricketer keeps himself away from social media or media so that... ...unnecessary pressure doesn't come, people's expectations and all. Generally, it's a part of practice that you keep your phones away, don't watch social media, don't watch TV before tournament, is it generally like this? Everyone has their own ways of doing it. There is no such rule? Board doesn't tell anything like this? Yeah, there is no rule as such. I think it's your own mental management. What thing supports you, what thing

helps you and after a point of time you realize that these things are helping me. And these things are obstructions in my way, right? So, and I think that's the only thing that I understand. After a point of time you realize that these things are important to me and these things are not. And you accordingly sort of deal with all those things. Over the years, social media has become so much that it's very difficult to also sort of not not be a part of it not see it but also makes I mean it depends on you know how what your priorities are so when you were

growing up cricketing idol conta es a que sigo so chata que ya que banda

favorite cricket obviously like everyone else such internal guard no doubts about it because he was more than cricket obviously for this nation and everyone loved his batting. We are also the ones who stopped watching TV when he got out. But again he has been an inspiration for us forever and what he brought to the table through his persona was something more than, you know, can be defined as in terms

of a cricketer. So I think the identity he gave to the whole of India, to all of us, when we were growing up was something which was much bigger.

So do you still feel that there is no bigger cricketer than Sachin for India?

No, I think again it's a very debatable question and I think he has been one of the finest and the greatest. Also because, see every times are different.

Correct.

You can't say that anyone else is lesser than that or before them because they came from a very different background, different times to today's cricketers.

Right.

These days we have our own pressures. So I think everyone in been very, very instrumental in taking things forward. But the person he is and the values which he holds is something which goes beyond the game. Absolutely.

And we'll ask this question, who is a better cricketer? But when Ampire Anil Chaudhary came on the podcast, he also answered it very good answer to this. And I did a counter question on that. I said, because he has played the bowlers like this. So he said, the current cricketers have not

refused this time. You can bring such bowlers. They can also play well. So you can't compare two times. So amazing. Then you played spent a century.

Then you play in the IPL.

So, also the good thing in my story was that

when the 2012 World Cup was held, I had already played in two seasons before that. 11 and 12. I had played in 11 and 12. That year the World Cup was held in August.

Correct.

Usually it was held early.

26th August was the final.

Yes, sir. So, 8th. So, I am 8th now.

That's why.

Do you follow neurology?

A little bit. Astrology, everything I think it makes sense sometimes. So, I had already played 2 IPLs. So, that also gave me a lot of exposure. Because I think a lot of boys at that age, because the World Cup is their first big moment. So, that experience of dealing with the pressure of IPL...

...I think it also helped me... ...sort of navigate my way through during that World Cup... ...and also deal with the boys. Because you become a senior in your age group, right? In terms of playing. So, that really helped me as well.

To your question now.

Okay. So, you bowled Brett Lee. And then you showed him that it was a defining moment and he put Unmukthu under pressure. How much pressure was that? Or was it a normal out?

Even now I get to know that I meet so many people and their fresh memories, obviously the World Cup is always there, but that was out on Brett Lee. That moment is always there. So I think people's imagination didn't give that moment. It hasn't come out yet. See as a cricketer, obviously, the 2013 IPL

that happened and I was looking forward to it because I had a good World Cup and you know I was knocking the Indian doors. And it was the first ball of the IPL and I got out. So obviously, as a cricketer you don't want that but playing at the back of my mind I don't think so it was but maybe in some unconscious ways may it might later on because what happened was that I got out of the game in the next match with Mumbai Indians and Ricky Ponting caught my flying one-hand catch so two or three

matches got spoilt in the starting so it's like you know such a big tournament you're starting on a bad note so that really hits you hard sometimes. But then this is the story of any and every cricketer. You know, sometimes it's all about timing. You should click on the right things at the right time. But there's one underlying thing that I think, which I learned very early on. When I played my first season of IPL in 2011, I played my first match against Mumbai Indians and I bowled against Malinga Bhai. So it's a photo or I mean that is another story in itself.

The first moment of playing IPL. But I mean, we'll cut to that later. But, I shot, I got bold and I was coming back. That was a photo which was captured, which was also in the newspapers. And people, for a year, people were telling me, Oh, Malenga is coming, Malenga is coming.

When I was playing a local match also, people used to say, Malenga is coming. When I was playing a local match also, people used to say Malenga is bowling. So, unconsciously or subconsciously, it works on your mind that people are saying this. So, you attach it to the fact that whatever I am doing in the field, in international matches or in big matches, people are watching it. So, I have to be careful. You can't be careful but you are being judged at every moment.

So, your freeness, you feel that it is going because match is not ending after the match. People are taking it over to the next few days, months, maybe a year or something also. So, it took me time as a 17 year old to understand that this is part of the game and this is fine. But, those brief moments that used to come like where I used to feel that if I miss something in the IPL match, people are gonna remember this. Correct. So with those things, I think with time only you understand and you learn

and that is experience. This is all fine. I mean, I'll just keep doing my thing. It doesn't make a difference. You know, I have school runs, people will talk about it. I'll get out, people will talk about it. So, you know, you don't have control over it. It's their headache. It's not my headache. And I'll just keep doing the best I can do.

Perfect.

So, this was a good learning for me. But yes, that Bradley ball, I mean, people keep talking to me till now. But now, obviously, my perception ball, to be very honest. And sometimes, as a batsman, you're unfortunate if you get hit on the first ball, because you're not set.

The stage is big. But again, I mean, a beautiful journey, I would say.

I have a similar observation. We were young. And in Sharjah, Miyandad scored a six and won the match. Pakistan won the match by 6 and Mian Dada won the match. Pakistan won the match by 6 on Chetan Sharma's last ball. And after that Pakistan dominated so much. There was a narrative from there that Pakistan's team is stronger and India's team is weaker.

And after that Pakistan dominated for many years. Even today we see the number of matches, they won more than us. Why? Because earlier cricket used to be more. Although we have been winning for many years. But a narrative a narrative. Because one match happened in which we lost.

So that pressure builds up from all sides.

I think that identity shaping happens so fast. Because of those things. Especially at those crunch moments. So that happens but again you don't have much control over it. Absolutely. And I think identity, people make it.

Like even comparisons people over it. And I think identity, people make it. Even comparisons people make it. You yourself don't make comparisons with any player. It's only what people do and this is what you realize that my job as a player is to do the best I can and again people can make so much out of it. These days memes are made so much. So obviously you don't have control over it. So you can just control what you can control and not worry about the other stuff.

Perfect.

So you played in the IPL with Delhi, Rajasthan, and Mumbai. Which was the best dressing room?

Yeah, the experiences were very, very different. Because Delhi, for me, was a very new experience. I remember very well, the year I played in the IPL, I went to see a Delhi-Mumbai match in Kotla. We were 15 minutes late, Mumbai was batting and Sachin Sachin was roaring in the ground. I was 15 or 16 that time.

Which year?

I played in 2011. So it was 9 or 10. 9 or 10. I went with my mom. We were sitting somewhere on the top tier. And then I was looking down and, you know, that mom, I will also play IPL someday.

And... Any... Like any dream, right? A very childhood dream that I will also play IPL. I was playing stick cricket in that. I didn't know that it will be so soon that I will play next year. So, in fact, I was in school when I was in 12th. I had board exams.

After 4-5 days of my last board exam, I had my first IPL match and my debut too. So, my entire school was there. And it was so early for me also. Things happened so fast. These things didn't happen at that time.

So, it was a very different story which was unfolding. When I played my first match, when I was picked in the first season, everyone in the school knew that I was playing IPL. But it was again, you know, for me it was very very important. I used to go for practices also, but my board exams were coming up. So, sometimes they used to tell me in practice,

take it easy, whenever you want to come in, there was James Hoop at that time. I hit him 4-6 in one over. And scored a lot of runs. So, Greg Shepard was our coach at that time. And they liked me so much that I get a call the next day that

you are going to play the first game. So, get ready. So, it was very very new for me the entire you know feeling and when I went to play the match of movement and swara and we got the batting first. So Viru Bhai and Warner used to open and I used to come number three and Warner got out in the first over. So I went in the first over only. So I was... for me, see as a spectator when you're watching 50,000-60,000 people in the ground, it's a different thing altogether. When you're playing, then you're like, boss,

there are 50,000 people in front of you. So, it was a very different sort of a pressure I felt. And when I was walking inside, I went to play. My first ball, I was like, totally, I didn't know what was happening. Full toss. Malinga made a full toss. I defended it. Next ball, Snirali and I just turned it around without looking. It was a slow one.

I got bold and then I got bold and then I was coming out and while coming out it was like I had seen that when you are getting out, the camera focuses on your face and you are running down. Everything is written that I am walking back and I am thinking that I'll be on TV and people are watching me. So, you know, the game was not in my mind. Because again it was so overwhelming for me and I had never practiced it. If I had a feeling before, I would adjust a little.

I was playing my first match in the first over and I didn't see anything. For the first time I got exposed to it. So those were the feelings. Which eventually subside. Which I think every cricketer goes through. Maybe in today's world we are more equipped with it.

But I think at that time it was very new for anyone. At that age. It didn't happen like that. So that was a very different experience in itself. How you navigate through those things and then how you move ahead. But it was a very lively experience as a kid growing up.

So, who has a good dressing room? Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai?

Yes, coming back to that question. So, yes, the first year was there. So, obviously, we had the legends. I mean, Viru bhai was there, Peterson was there. So many other big players were there. So, it was a...

I got to learn a lot. I understood as a cricketer that what do the top players do? How are they preparing for the game? So I started understanding those basics in the first year. And because it was the first exposure to the bigger league. And before playing for India, only if you are sitting among those legends, you learn a lot. So that was very very good. But I really enjoyed playing for Mumbai Indians

when I was there in MI. I couldn't get matches in Rajasthan but when I played with Mumbai, that was a very very different experience because your team has top players but there are so many legends sitting outside your team. Ricky Ponting is there, Sachin is there, Robin Singh, Kumble, Srinivan, everyone. So many big names were there. You feel, this is a team. This is something different.

And obviously, Mani's team and the way they host you, the way they do things, is something which is very, very special. And I feel there's a difference why they have been so successful also, because the way they treat their players and the way they care for them,

not just during the IPLL but also before and after. So my first experience with Anant Amani was something very special because I was with Rajasthan and I got traded to Mumbai Indians. So he called me to Mumbai. And I got his call and I was like, you know, I'm open to coming because I didn't get matches here. and obviously it's a three-way contract so I signed Mumbai

and myself so no man's a belly button and he introduced me to Rohit was there everyone was there in a way when Chanda bombay tomorrow I'm so pelly bar milaferron become a good and when he met me for the first time he knew everything about me Kimena kiss local match in which local match, let alone the state, what I have done in local matches, where I am doing what. So for me, it was a very...

He is the owner of a team, and he knows every small detail about me as a player, who is a youngster coming up. Something which is very special. How involved is that guy? You feel so special, if the owner knows you inside out.

So that makes you very close to people right here. They care. They value you. So those feelings are something which are very important when you are sort of with a with a organization and you play for them. So that feeling you know even after tournaments they'll call you for events or functions. So they did everything big but also make you feel included in that. So that's something which is very special

and makes you want to contribute also. And even if you're not playing, so their whole, such a good well, I mean, there are people who stay behind in the hotel. They make sure that you're practicing, you're at the top of your game,

you're doing all the things. It's not that if you're not playing, you know, no one is going to ask you. Because obviously they want to focus on the players who are playing, which is okay. But again, those who are not playing, IPL can become a torture.

Because for two months, you're just travelling around, you're not playing games, from hotel to hotel, so it gets too much on yourself. So, I mean, people see the good side of it that you are playing IPL, someone makes me play for free, I will play. But I can tell you even if you are sold for like a lot of money, if you are not playing games,

because you have to play the main game only, you have to play cricket only. And if you are not playing that, it can become very very mentally disturbing also. So, but as long as you know your practices are going on, everything is going on, then you're like, okay fine, I'm in the top of my game. So those things were very well taken care of by Mumbai Indians. So I really enjoyed my time over there.

Amazing. But when you started IPL, at that time, IPL used to be very controversial. There were a lot of parties, a lot of politics. Have you seen all this? Have you faced all this?

Did you go to parties? Yeah, actually what happened was that when I started playing in 2011, IPL, so there was a lot going on in the first 4 years. First 3-4 years, right? I just came after that. And at that time, there used to be signature parties. Okay. So, in that, but it was still not as wild as what I have heard that it used to be before. But that was still very much controlled or after the matches those events are there. Which was very a very different side of things also. So I got to learn a lot of things.

I got a lot of exposure from a lot of people with a lot of people and it was a craze. So a lot of people used to call you to come to those parties. People used to ask for match tickets, right? That they should get entry in the party in the evening. That sort of a thing. But it was more of a team gathering because we all come together in the evening. So, there were signature parties.

Those were again very interesting.

You played for the IPL till 2016.

Yes.

Then you disappeared for some time. Then suddenly there was news that you are moving to the US.

How difficult was this decision? Obviously, it was not what I thought of. I think, being missing, I mean because not playing IPL doesn't mean you are missing because you are playing domestic cricket, you are playing everything. Lot of things did not favour me that time. I think lot of things went downhill from 2017 onwards.

And again, lot of reasons behind it.

But in 2021, I decided that I will go to US. downhill from 17 onwards and again a lot of reasons behind it, but In 2021 I decided that I'll go to US

Which if you were a month before me, from that point of view, I would have said no to it because I didn't even know if there was cricket in the US or not But then as luck would have it, you know, in 2021 I went to US and finally decided that I'll be there And when I went initially, I 2021 I went to US and finally decided that I'll be there.

things are changing, things are moving, then I was like, I'll stay here.

So, what happened that made you feel that you should go to US and settle there? I was able to do it because when I was leading India A, I was leading India A in 2016. I was the India's captain. It took me four years to become India's captain. All the players who were playing under me, who played in my captaincy, all of them played for country.

But as luck would have it, maybe that door didn't open for me. But that is a time when I got dropped from Delhi also. I was leading India. So I think as a cricketer, it's very troublesome, I mean, very disturbing. You're playing for India on one side,

and on the other side, the state team has dropped you. So when those things happen, you lose a lot of confidence when you're playing two matches and not four. So you're in and out. So, I think, it plays a lot on your mind. It's very difficult as a cricketer. So, a lot of things... I lost my IPL.

So, that is another story in itself. So, when everything came together, it felt like... I don't have an IPL, Ranjha Rafi is not there. So, my whole cricketing journey sort of stopped. But then again, I kept working hard. I came back again. In 2018, I played for Delhi again. I scored the most runs in one day. Came back and got the trophy. Got runs there. But I didn't get India ahead of that.

But in 2020, I decided that when I was on and off from Delhi to cricket, I'll go to Uttarakhand. I went to Uttarakhand for a year. Then I came back to Delhi. But I didn't get any matches that year. I think I played 30-40 players in the whole season. But I didn't get a single game.

And that really broke me. Things are not going the way I wanted them to. So it was a clear cut decision. For me as a cricketer, I was 28 that time here I need to I need to I want to play cricket I don't make it in email a kid or there's no point of you know, hanging back and that is the time I'm a USA opportunity. I and I went there I saw how things are there and then once I was convinced then I settled

Okay, I could be like that The boards are Joe state boards, like the Bombay or Delhi lobbies are stronger? I mean, in terms of the state you play for, how much do you get chances to play for the country? And how much chance does that state give you? Or if you are from that state, how many chances do you get in the team? As an example, when I spoke to many coaches and cricketers, they give the example of Rohit Sharma. They say Rohit Sharma, because he was from Mumbai lobby.

Now Rohit Sharma is a legend of course, one of the most successful captains of India. But he got a lot of chances. He didn't play in 70-80 matches continuously, but still got a chance. So do you think that if you are from Bombay, you would have got more chances? If you are from Delhi, you wouldn't have got that chance. Delhi doesn't give chances.

This is a very open-ended question and you can take too much out of this thing. But again I feel, I mean there are there are many things which are fine. But, again, as a cricketer, you can't think about all these things. Because, see, your job is to perform. And sometimes, you notice the performance. You notice it, but...

There are many other things like... whether your slot is open or not. When you make a run, that thing... You know, things have to match, align together to be able to make you sustain there. You play there. The first thing is to play. If you don't sustain after that, you will do it. So, it is very important to open that opportunity. And if it opens, then obviously, you play.

Then, you know, things open up for you. But if there is no slot for that opportunity, then it's very difficult for you to do it. But definitely, like any other field, I mean, especially in this game of cricket, luck plays a very important matter. And I feel luck is something which is so important. Luck also means where the selectors are from,

which state you're playing from, what are the dynamics, the cricketing dynamics in the country at that time, all those things make a difference. So it's not like it's only Mumbai, but I mean a lot of times it happens that a lot of players from Karnataka play. Once upon a time, a lot of players from Delhi were playing in the Indian team. So I think the dynamics keep changing. You have to be at the right place at the right time for sure sure. But at the same time, your performances should be good.

But hitting the nail in the coffin, everything has to align together, stars have to come in together.

There are a lot of things.

Yes, a lot of things. Especially because only 11 people can play. So it's not like... Everyone is good. Everyone is good. But to get into that 11, you need to have a lot of things in your hip

for things to happen.

Let's talk about cricket in the US. How is cricket there? What did you see there when you went there? Is there a superstar culture there? What is the infrastructure like? Tell us about this.

Yeah, US cricket is very very different to what we have seen here in India. US cricket in a way, see you can't compare Indian cricket to anyone. Indian cricket is the biggest in the world. And US is just growing up. Growing up and now it's an associate nation. And stadiums have just started to be built. We have 3-4 stadiums now.

More are being built there. So, it's a very growing sport. And mostly, only Desi people play. If you see, if you go to academies, there are a lot of kids from 8 to 15 years old.

But you will see that 99% of the kids are Desi. Mostly Indians, not even Pakistanis. But it's mostly the Desis who are playing cricket. And it's a growing landscape. But obviously, in comparison, India is a different ball game. The number of kids who are playing cricket here,

the way cricket is played, still obviously, cricket is not a... You cannot take it as a profession in US right now.

Okay.

Because until it comes in school systems, in college systems, you can't see it as a career there. So, that's why it's just the beginning. But I'm sure I've seen growth happening in the last four years.

Every year I felt things are improving, tournaments are increasing. At least for professional players, a career can be created here because more opportunities are coming up. So that's a changing landscape.

So there are a lot of part-time cricketers there, who are doing jobs elsewhere. Saurabh Netralokar is an example. So, are there other people who do other jobs and play cricket?

There are a lot.

A lot.

A lot. In fact, there are in the US, but you will see in many other countries. Like New Zealand. In many other countries, where cricketers do some other work. Because they don't have that much sustenance in them. And plus people do a lot of stuff anyways. In India, because there is so much of cricket, so maybe you don't need to do much else.

And you play cricket only. Which I feel, as a cricketer, you should play cricket only. Because that is such a task in itself. You have to mentally be ready for games. You have to train physically. You have to train skill-wise. And there are so many other things around it.

So I think it was a different thing when you experience it first-hand. That people are working and playing. So it becomes very difficult sometimes. Like if I want to practice, I can't bowl bowlers in the day because more than half of the people are working. The rest of the kids are in school. And anyone who is above 18-20, they are working.

So in the evening, they can come for 1-2 hours to practice. So all these things become challenges because here you need bowlers, there are 20 bowlers standing, everything is set. There is a little bit of indoors, so you have to practice indoors mostly, which is a challenge again because cricket is not played on Astro, cricket is played on turf, but its access is less. So those challenges are there and also it's a very very expensive country, right?

So to do all these things, to manage all these things, it's a lot of money which is being spent on these things. So, maybe the board doesn't have that much money. It's a time consuming process. And I think over the years, it should get better.

Okay.

So, playing cricket in the US and not being selected for the T20 World Cup, how heartbreaking was it? How was it for you? What was your reaction?

Obviously I was very, very disappointed because when I went to the US, the whole focus of going there was to... I timed it in such a way that I would be eligible for the World Cup. But somehow that did not happen and obviously I was scoring runs. In the first three years, I was a minor league. I was a second year high school student. So I was scoring runs in my first two years as a high student. I was scoring runs and performing.

But when you don't understand that, you feel disappointed. But I think over the years I've learned to navigate through these things and how to keep my emotions in check and what do I need to do next. It's something which is very clear to me. But obviously it's difficult because it's happening in your backyard and you want to play a tournament like that.

And we were playing a match with India as well. So, again, I mean, that's how it is.

So, do you think, Unmukt, that you've been politically challenged? At any level?

Yeah, I think performance is what is the most important thing. And I always see this thing like this. I have never... Even... What happened to me, what didn't happen... A lot of people keep talking about politics. But for me, cricket has always been very, very pure in terms of... I want to perform.

And I want to play. If I don't play, I will perform more and play more. This is my fundamental which has been set from the very beginning. When I played Delhi for the first time, under 15, under 16, I scored the most runs for Delhi. But I was not selected. So I understood very quickly that these things are an integral part of the game. These things happen. But if I keep performing, I will play.

Which happened. I performed more and got the chance. Then I scored runs. Then I was selected in the North Zone team. I made a high sprint in the North Zone team. I won the All India Harman Singh trophy.

I got to play for Delhi in the U19s that year. I got the French trophy. For me, it has always been like this. Whenever I get a low moment, I'll run out of the match. I'll run in that match. Automatically, I of the game. I'll run in that match. So, automatically, the car pulled further.

So, for me, unconsciously, subconsciously, what works is that if I perform, things will be done. Perfect. So, this is my basic DNA, it's in my structure. So, whenever certain things backfire or things don't happen, I don't dwell into why this didn't happen because of

politics or whatever. I just dwell into why this didn't happen because of politics or what. I just dwell into what can I do to be a better cricketer, to be a better player, how do I score more runs. And that is what moves me and that is what also keeps me a little peaceful. Because if you think about all these things or talk about it, then what happens is that your mindset gets very bad. And as a person you carry a lot of negativity inside you because of all the things happening around you. Which I don't want. I am very very... I have become very clear about one thing.

That cricket is there. It's important for me. I love this sport. I will keep doing it. But from inside I want to be a very peaceful person, peaceful guy. And that is more important for me. Spirituality has definitely helped me in this. That the things around me should not get moved

because of certain things not happening. And I know that those things will also align. If not today, then tomorrow. Things will also happen whenever they're supposed to happen. And with experiences, from India and here too, when things have to happen, the whole universe comes against you, then also it happens. And when it doesn't have to happen, then you can do anything but it doesn't happen. So this is a first-hand experience for me.

It has happened many times, so now I am prepared for it.

Amazing. US defeated Pakistan in the World Cup. Were you shocked? What happened?

I'll tell you, US is being underestimated a lot. But US team is a good team. And a lot of girls have not been added to it yet. They have become eligible now. If all those girls play, then it will be a very deadly team. Because if you see, most of the players have played from their country. The players there are now completing the eligibility criteria of 3 years.

So if they all start playing together and if we get a proper structure that there are camps, there is investment on players, matches, tournaments are happening, if things start happening in that way, then this can be a very very deadly team which can consistently defeat teams. So this can be a very good thing. If everything goes per plan, if the infrastructure works, if the administration helps you in doing those things. If those challenges met meet, then this can be a very very deadly team.

So, I and I still feel that. So, we defeated Pakistan in the match, which was a very good thing for US cricket because people start believing in you. People think that there is something in this team. And I think it was a very very good thing that this thing happened for all the cricketers in USA and because when you win a game like this this it's a very defining moment in the cricketing circle like for India, you know, we talk about Sharjah Cup or we talk about some innings which were not played by any players which were very

defining moments in Indian cricketing history, in 1983 World Cup. Correct. Sim, this moment is such that it defines a lot of things in how things go forward in the US. Correct. So that was a very good thing to have happened.

You had also gone to Sanjay sir's academy and practiced. As a coach, he still talks to you. Do you take suggestions, advice, direction from him?

Yes, I talk to him a lot. And obviously, I talk a lot. Because I think it's also a feeling. I come to India for that feeling. Because what happens is, the place where you spent so much time, when I was in 10th or 9th, I joined Sir's academy. And since then I am with Sir.

And I have talked to Sir on very few techniques. It's more of, he has made me feel good. He has given me a good perspective on things. And he has done all that. He has made me, good perspective on things. And he is talking about all that. He has made me right as a person. So cricket has automatically become right for me.

So it's not that he is targeting my cricket. He is targeting me because he knows me, how a person I am. And what all things I can get the best out of myself. And no one targets those things in today's date. It's the easiest thing to target someone's technique as a coach.

That this is bad, this is right. But I feel cricket is more beyond technique. How you are as a person, what are your vulnerabilities, what are your strengths. And on that basis, you do a lot of things or not.

So if you understand those things, which obviously you have been associated with for many years, that person knows you well. So when he hits those things, then automatically a miracle happens inside you. And I feel performances are also like, that you don't do it, it happens.

It happens when you find the right environment, you find the right people, you are in that good feeling. And with me, especially these things have happened more and whenever I've had those moments like breakthrough innings, I have played such innings many times or such moments, so it was a feeling which made me do those things which I have done.

I haven't done it, so it has happened to me. So I try to recreate those things so that it becomes magic again and I I come back with the same feeling. And I feel that the place where you started from, you come back to. So, it's a lot of blessings also which come along. And it's a very good feeling.

So, in that good feeling, when you operate, more good things come out of you. So, that is my basic motivation of coming to India. And it's a lot of fun. It feels good to talk to him about old things, and do old things in a different way, of course, but I love it.

Anubhav, is there any reference in cricket? If a big player is your friend, or you have played with him, he knows you, then he can push you forward, he can get you into the team. Have you ever seen this or experienced this?

Yeah, I feel it will be everywhere in some other different ways because favoritism is always there. If you are in a corporate world and you like someone you will try to favor him. But obviously it's a performance oriented game

so you can't favor someone else. So at the end of the day, it's the game that will take you forward. But definitely, if someone likes you, even if I'm a captain and I like someone because of, not because I like him as a friend, but because I like him as a cricketer and I feel he fits into my scheme of things, the way I want to run things. Similarly, the way Gautam Kampir or a Virender Sehwag would want to run things. Right? If I fit into that category, then maybe, you know, I can get that chance. But again, you have to do it. So, this is also a place where a lot of

people get it wrong. That, dude, actually, the skill that you have, that will take you ahead. You will get one chance, two chances. You will play in that, but nothing will happen. It is more of your personal satisfaction that I have ticked this. But at the end of the day, what will give you the real satisfaction is you doing well from there and going forward.

So, you know, those are things which are there, but how you take it, that also... But if someone is getting more chances, then again that is the luck factor. Yes, it is the luck factor and also, that's why we say this guy is more lucky. See, at the end of the day, everyone is 19-20 years old, it doesn't make much difference.

But sometimes if someone gets more chances, then he does it. But again, you can't sit back and think about it. Because it is not in your hands. Okay. And I have seen in cricket and it's relevant in other fields too, that what happens is sometimes things align for you, sometimes they don't. Right? With me, I feel that the starting years were filled with things that I had never imagined.

So, it got a lot of confidence in me. My confidence increased a lot. My self-belief increased a lot. But when those things didn't happen, I didn't say that this confidence in me. My confidence increased a lot. My self-belief increased a lot. But when those things didn't happen, I didn't say that I've done it. Because if nature has given me, then it can take it from me.

So I don't have any control over it. And this is what I really believe in. That we are... We are just here... I mean, we are just... We don't think of it as I did it, I did a performance.

People ask me about 2012, you also asked about the world cup final innings and everything. I feel it happened to me and people say that I did it, I did it, I did it. I don't do anything. Things happen and there are many reasons behind it, when they happen and when it doesn't, so it can go. So it's a very thin line and it's all about, you know, you have to find peace with it and still keep working through it and things will happen, things will not happen, so that's all part of the game.

I think this was the main highlight of this podcast. And the line you said, I think that line is the best line that any youngster watching this podcast is saying is that if nature has given me something, it can take it from me. So I think it takes a lot to say that. I mean, it's amazing. I'll talk about that ad. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Naina vs Unmukh Chand. How was the experience? How was the ad shoot? And then people's reaction after that. It happened after winning the World Cup, right?

The ad shoot was like... It happened after winning the World Cup. It was a Pepsi ad. And it was a Delhi vs. UP match in Nehru Stadium, Ghaziabad. Delhi was on the back side and UP was on the front side. And it was a very... Delhi had lost. And unfortunately, it has always, with Delhi, it has always been that whenever a team has played, Delhi has always lost. Our Challenger Trophy had such a big team.

Viru bhai was there, Gauti bhai, Virat, Ashish Nehra, Ishant, everyone was there. And we didn't win the final in that. And it has happened many times in Ranji Trophy. So unfortunately, whenever we were in the whole team, we didn't win. But from there too, they had a whole team. Raina bhai, Bhuvi, PK, many players were there.

Carefoser?

No, I think he was not there. He was not there. But from Delhi, we all, Gauti bhai, myself, Virat. So UP won in that? No, Ashish bhai. UP won in that.

And when the match was over, I didn't know. And the next day was our shoot. The next day of the fort had a shoot in Bombay. So when I reached there, I realised that everyone was coming. Because I had no idea that they were all there. So, Raina bhai, Virat bhai and obviously, I met Mahi bhai for the first time on that ad.

So again, a very good experience. A very different experience for me personally. And I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it. For a youngster, I mean, what else can you ask for? You're doing an ad with three big shots. And that too, an ad which was very tilted towards me. I had become the main character of that ad. So, that was a very special ad.

People still remember that ad. There are very few things that people remember for such a long time. It was one of those epic ads which he made. The storyline of that ad and the way he filmed it.

Then, there was no such ad, it's not made yet

It was very special

So, the exposure was also big, his reaction was also amazing And I think till now, it's a timeless ad

Yes, people keep saying that he becomes a meme sometimes That's interesting

So, how was your first interaction with Dhoni?

It was very interesting because obviously I admired him like anything And so I admired him like anything. So I met him and I realized that the best thing about him is that I am meeting him for the first time as a youngster. And I sat with him for 5 minutes and in those 5 minutes he opened me so much that I felt that I can tell him my deepest secrets. This is the level of security which it gives to people. And it was very special for me because otherwise, you know, players sometimes keep a distance and talk to each other. But in just 5 minutes, the environment he created around me,

he made me very easy with him. And I think then I could relate to it that why it happens that the people who have played for him have played for India. Their performances have not been good because they it is bowlers or batsmen, they have the space to be themselves. And he knows how to take the best out of people.

So that was a very special thing to sort of you know, realise and comprehend that the way he did in 5 minutes, I became so close to him, I felt that as if I know this person for a very long time. That was very special.

And in many people, I felt as if I know this person for a very long time. So that was very special. And a lot of people don't have the talent that he has. So that was very special.

Did you ever talk to him after that?

Did you exchange numbers? No, I met him a lot of times. After that, a couple of times when he was playing for Jharkhand, he had matches with Delhi. And on and off, I met him a and off. So he's always very warm, very welcoming, very warm. So, with him, you don't...

You know, you're not skeptical to go to him. So you can talk to him freely. So he's very open in that way.

Perfect.

You play for LA Knight Riders. It's Shah Rukh's team. Have you met Shah Rukh?

Unfortunately, I haven't met him in IPL yet. Sorry, I haven't met him in MLC yet. But I have met him during IPL. When we had our first match with KKR. I met him then. In fact, I met him after the ad. He said, you act really well.

So that was the first moment when I met him. Again, the same person who makes you very comfortable.

Shah Rukh Khan also.

This is what I have heard from people. I have never had this much interaction with him but I love him. I have been his biggest fan since childhood. Obviously, I have seen his movies and listened to his songs. He has taught everyone how to love. So, even now, I love him. I just love him. So, because you play with LA Knight Riders,

it's possible that you can play for KKR as well.

Is it possible? Are there still opportunities or possibilities?

Yes, definitely. Because now I'm eligible for the overseas category. And this year, I was shortlisted for IPL. So, three players were shortlisted from the associated nations. I was one of them. But now in a foreign category. So that will be very special if that happens one day.

But again, I keep working hard and obviously that stays like a thing to achieve.

So if you play against India in the future, which we hope and pray for, that you play for sure, the World Cup coming up, you should play there too. And if you come as an overseas player, you should play with the Indian players too. So what would be your target? Who would you select?

Because if you get selected in 2024, did you plan how you would play Bumrah or this player?

Was that in your mind? Obviously, as a player, you keep visualizing things. And obviously, not just before the last World Cup, but... ...since the beginning, when I went to the US... ...my visualization started with me playing against India. And how I am batting, what I am doing.

So, you keep rehearsing all those things mentally as a player. So, obviously, it was set back that it didn't happen. But that keeps going on in your mind. You recreate scenes. You feel like you are playing. So, you know, that is a very integral part of your preparation.

But you don't target anyone as such. But on a general level, what I am doing, I focus more on that.

Perfect.

You are following IPL now.

Yes.

So which team do you support?

I have never supported any team as a cricketer. Or which team impresses you?

Which team do you think is the best?

Yeah, but obviously, there is a slight bias. Dhoni is always special. I mean, it was last year, because I year I think it's a little too much. But last year, definitely, the soft touch is towards Dhoni. Dhoni, I would say.

So, if Dhoni had come to Delhi, then Delhi?

Could be that. Could have been that. But now, I think, now it's too much. But last year, there was a little more tilt towards him, that what he's doing. So, what are you saying? He should retire now? No, that's his decision. He's still doing well.

You met Sachin in Dallas. Your meeting went viral. What did Sachin say?

It was a very brief meeting because he was very close to the people. But again, he was so welcoming that I messaged him that sir you are here. So, what do I like to meet up? Hello, hello. So, yeah, he was again, he met me. I met him for a while. I talked to him. It was the same normal basic, what's happening?

How's preparation going? How's cricket going? So, basic stuff. But obviously, good to see him after a long time.

Rapid fire? Let's go, sir. Before this IPL, Dhoni should have retired.

Yes. Why don't you answer? No, it's okay. No, I feel the best finishing... I mean, it's everyone's dream at the end of the day.

What happened is, the last two last days we won...

That would have been a perfect ending. Because we were picking up the game. Out of nowhere, it was like a pure, this is luck, destiny, everything coming in together. You finish it off like that. That was, I think that should have been it. I mean, as per me.

Virat should not have taken retirement from International T20?

Yes and no.

Because, yes, because a lot of youngsters are coming and obviously they have achieved everything. There is nothing more to achieve for him because you have won the T20 World Cup and you have done whatever you had to do. You have been playing for so many years. So that's a good thing, that you're letting the next generation of players come in. And no, because you still love watching Virat creating those match-winning knocks out of nowhere. So you'll miss that.

As a player, I miss that sometimes.

All right.

After Rohit, who do you see as the ODI captain of India?

Okay.

I'm talking about ODI. He's talking about ODI.

Yeah, if, again, I think Shreyas is doing well. Shreyas has just won a trophy for KKR. And he's doing well for India as well. So he's a top contender. And if the slot is KL is fixed, then KL is also a good cricketing brain. Bumrah can be, but sometimes it is the bowler's fault that you don't favour the bowler as captain. But otherwise, Bumrah is again, I'm sure he's also one of the guys.

What would you give a 19-year-old Anmukhchand if you had to give a suggestion? Have patience. Have patience. Don't be desperate. Because I feel that when people around you, the surrounding was so much that I came to India Team, everyone was asking me those questions. India is coming, India is coming, India is coming. So, it did make, India is coming.

So it did make me a little desperate. So what happened was that I remember a lot of times when I was batting at 70-80, that I will make it 100. Because you always take 100 in that way that if you make it 100, it takes a different impact. And because of that, I was building up a of matches where I have scored 70-80-90 runs. That conversion didn't happen. Because I was getting a little bit of desperation in me.

That it is important to score 100. So, because of that, the impact which it would have had would have been totally different to the 70-80s which I scored. So, just telling myself that don't be desperate. It will happen on its own time. So, you don't have to push too hard mentally.

OK.

If you get a time machine, which era would you like to go to? Would you like to play cricket? I want to play with them.

2011, 12, that team. Sachin was also part of the team. And MSD, Jivraj, Gauti Bhhai, Veeru bhai, Virat was there. So that was, I think, what a team. I mean, because we obviously... We'd been watching cricket since 5-7 years ago, but we were very young then.

But that was like... As an 18-19 year old, your team was right in front of you. And that had all the legends of the game, right? Right. Right. So that whole era was very special for my generation of players.

And you made it even more special for yourself because in 2011 Dhoni won, in 2012 Unmukh won.

Yes, so I think that would have been the best time, right? So, I mean, if I have to be transported, so maybe that time.

Perfect.

How do you save yourself from social media trolling?

I don't really care. In fact, I used to watch social media less. But now, sometimes it gets more access because people send it. But it's more of a smile.

Okay. Your best partner in cricket field? With whom you used to play and have fun?

During my under-19 days, Maran Vora was a good friend. So him and also others. I mean, everyone has a lot of fun. Because if your friendship improves, which is very important. Because you want to spend the whole day together on the field. So if the company doesn't have fun, then what is the point of it? So there should be fun. So I think there are a lot of people.

And it's a lot of fun. In fact, when I was playing Ranji Trophy, I used to have a lot of fun with Shikhar. Because Shikhar used to sign in slips and then we used to talk. We played test matches. There are 4 matches in a day in slips. So, there are a lot of things. I used to have fun with Veeru bhai.

Who is the most entertaining cricketer? You thought, this guy is very funny. Shikhar Dhawan. Okay. Top guy. Top guy and very very... Entertaining means he is there, so the energy levels are like different.

Okay.

He can do anything. He can do anything anywhere.

Which rumor has happened against you but it's not true?

A lot. Which one do I know, you ask me this.

Which one comes to your mind first?

There is a famous poem, I am infamous in this world, You tell me which story has come in your ears? This is that. So I mean, again, Rumors always keep creating,

People think from their standpoint. But I always feel that there is more to the person than what is seen. And that's why I have stopped commenting on people because I feel that there is more to that and what meets the eye. And if you don't know people, then... I mean, people have the right to comment but

I usually don't prefer doing that and when someone does it, it's not my problem, it's their problem. Who is your closest friend or mentor? My family members only, honestly, because starting my family was like, my father, my uncle was very close to me. Now my wife, I would say. She has been a very good friend to me, a mentor to me, in a lot of ways. So, I would say it's her now.

Will you come in coaching or mentorship? Do you think?

Yes, one thing is that mentorship is something which has sort of come very naturally to me. Because I have always led teams from the start, so leadership has always been a part of my thing. And because there is Jupiter in my lagna, so I feel that I can directly teach things. And in the US, I have been working with a few players, so mentoring, I keep doing that on and off.

And I have started enjoying that because I feel it's a very natural transition. And also, I enjoy talking about cricket. I enjoy talking about how to go forward with a lot of players with my own experiences and also. So, I enjoy that. When I see others learning and others also gaining from it, it gives me a lot of happiness. So, I'm sure that I will anyways sort of, I'll do that in the future. I still do it but it can go further and it can go further.

Do you believe in God?

Yes, I believe in again universal energy. I have been believing in it since childhood. I pray. But you believe in astrology. I started reading astrology very deeply. And I saw a lot of things happening. I didn't know this much before. But I think it is a two-way street. Because obviously, in the beginning, no one had shown anything.

And it was all good. Very good. Very good. When things start getting bad, that's when the first time, you know, you go to someone or you show someone. My mother took me for the first time. She started showing me like this. And when someone says to you that these things are happening like this, like that, they are going wrong or it will happen to you, then somewhere in your mind, that fear sits that whatever I do will go wrong. Especially when the times are not good. So I feel it's important to be careful about this.

Because before that I used to think that whatever I touch, it will turn into gold. And it used to happen. But the moment you feel that if I do something, it will go wrong. Because also, with time, things happened. It was natural that a lot of things went wrong after 16, 17. which I feel now, that's why, you know, when you said that I regret something, no, because all those things were beyond my control.

Like, you feel that I made a mistake. But there are some things that you feel that I could not have done anything. I did my best, but still, whether it's about my cricket, or about my other things, or about life, or about relationships, or about education, there were many things that were didn't have in my hands and they just sort of went the other way around. But they teach you a lot of things, but when I

connected those dots and saw things, they were the same things that were written, spoken and told in the right way. And that's why I think there's a big science to it. And now I'm conscious enough how to use it. Because if you overdo it, then also it's not very good. But I'm aware of it, which makes things a little easier and clearer to me that this is my path and this is where I'm heading towards.

If you get an opportunity in the future, would you like to work with BCCI again?

Yes, absolutely. Because again, BCCI has always been very good to me. I have always played cricket thanks to them. And the way cricket is in the world today is because of them. And I have had very good relations with everyone. And definitely, cricket in India is always so good, so big. So yes, 100%.

Acting, commentary, business. What if you get these three options apart from cricket?

Acting, commentary, business. Yeah, three things worth. I've done a bit of everything. Little bit. And yeah, see, I'm very open to exploring things.

OK.

So I've never said in my life that I don't want to do this. Because sometimes nature also brings you in that direction that you end up doing it. Doing certain things. And I feel you learn something new from everything. And this life is all about exploration. So, I am very open to doing anything which comes my way.

As long as my cricket is done everything is done when I'm playing it also whatever I do on the sides so I look at it from from that angle and I'm open to everything because everything will teach me things in a different way

Every player has a challenging time in their life. There was a big patch with Virat that he was not able to perform. Then he gives Rauf two sixes and then a lot of things change. So, do such things motivate you? How do you see such knocks? How do you see an individual's journey? Do they inspire you or is it normal?

How do you see this? In today's world, inspiration is everywhere around you. In so many ways. It's not just about cricketers, ...or your family members, or your parents. I have so much motivation in my house.

My father has just retired now from his teaching. And now he does cycling. He just did Mumbai from Delhi. He did cycling. That too from the entire Gujarat coast. He covered the whole Sri Lanka in 15 days.

Silk route, Tajikistan. He did cycling for 20-25 days. My uncle, he is preparing for Ironman, he just ran 100 km in Jaisalmer and doing many other things. My wife, she runs, she did a full marathon 3 months back. So, there is and also we are doing other business work. So, it's so much of motivation everywhere around you. Our mothers, they do so much. They have done so many sacrifices everywhere, right? So, there is so much everyone is doing. It's all about how much inspiration you get from whom.

Yes, obviously, as you said, in the way of cricketing, yes. When people come back, comebacks are always special. Because people look at it at a superficial level. But how you can see a player, you know, when a person grows, you know, goes through it and how he grows through that phase makes him a different person altogether, right? There are some things which are always very, very special and they are very relatable in

any field. So, those journeys are always special. You take a leaf out of those books and keep going on. It gives you motivation to keep going on and you know, pursuing your path.

So let's talk about your book. Why did you get the idea to write that book?

I have always been interested in reading and writing. I come from a family of writers. My uncle has written a few books. I used to read since childhood. So I thought I'll write a book someday. And I didn't know it would happen so soon. Three months before the World Cup, I was speaking to him and I was like, uncle, should I start writing?

He said, yeah, do it. So he told me in a chapter form how to write a book. So I just started writing. I used to write everyday during that last 3 months of the World Cup. So that at least I have the live in-hand experience of what is happening.

Because you don't know if you are going to win or not. So, when I was writing at that time, it was all very fresh. And then obviously, the other side was after the World Cup, when we won the World Cup. Then it's a different thing. If you think about it later, it's different to tomorrow is my match, it's final. What am I feeling right now? What is happening? So those things are very special. But one underlying thing is that I knew

and I knew it so deeply that we are winning this world cup. So obviously, if we don't win half of the way, then the book has no meaning.

Right.

And 80% of the book was done already before the world Cup final was done. So before that, I had compiled all my old diaries and made them into chapter forms. At that time, at that stage in 2011-12, I was the only one who had played two seasons of IPL. No one had played before that. I had played Ranji Trophy for three years.

So I had a lot of experience, which was not in that age category. So I thought it's my duty also to sort of write it down. A lot of parents used to ask me, how do you manage studies, cricket? I am always 90% in studies, so that area is always fulfilling. So all those experiences I just started, I used to jot down. So I thought let's write it down because it might help people at this age.

Right.

So that was the whole thought behind it. And I won, World Cup was won. So, the book was also published. So, it was a very good experience. I enjoyed it a lot. However, later on, many people

questioned me. People did not like that I wrote such a short book. Many people still ask me, even the experts say that you wrote such a book so early. You come into the eye of people that you are writing a book in 19 years. But I was like, people are going to the movies, people are passing time,

they are flirting here and there. All that will work. And here I am writing a book. You are writing a book. That's right. So it comes, it gets portrayed in a very wrong way, different way.

Correct.

So my whole aim was that I just write my journey and that's it. But, I mean again it's not in my hands what people interpret out of it and but yeah it was a very very good thing and it was a good experience for me. Are you a spiritual person? Yes, I think I am more spiritual than religious. Okay, so and how do you see this? spirituality ko kaise dekhte hai? Do you meditate? Do you read books? Main yaar bachpan se meditation karta hu. So in fact meditation came to me when I was like very very young. 10-11 saal se, 8-10 saal se,

10 minute baith ke dhyan karna was always a part of my routine. So bhaat ke 10 minute dhyan karna 10-15 minutes. Sometimes I have done longer too, but otherwise 15 minutes, 10-15 minutes has been a routine since always.

Okay.

If I don't do it, I feel that I feel more excited. If I am doing it, then I know that whatever happens, I am always very equanimous in whatever I do. But if I am not doing it, then everything starts feeling more.

Okay.

That in things, I can see myself getting affected by things very quickly. When I do it, I am in a very good space. So I get to know that if the system is going up and down, or I feel very rushed in my head, then if I pay attention to that side, then automatically it comes back. So meditation has been a part of my routine since the very beginning.

So do you follow any spiritual guru right now,

or read about them, or watch videos about him? I don't follow one person but I keep spiritual books with me. I have read a lot of Sadguru, Osho, Krishnamurti, and many other books. So, I always keep spiritual books with me. And I feel that whenever I am reading it, whatever you read, you get a lot of help from it and it balances me out very much. In fact, I had a spiritual teacher before, so I have spent a lot of time with her.

And I think those things have definitely helped me understand and comprehend what is happening in my life, why and how it is happening and it has given me a good direction. And I have an open mind and heart for many things. Where I, maybe it was closed in so many ways. So, yeah that spirituality is one of the biggest aspects in my life. And that I, I mean I do that regularly yes, going to mandirs, prayers.

My form of prayers have changed over the years. Now it's more of very gratefulness prayers. If someone tells me to ask for something, I don't know what to ask for. Because I feel that everything is there. I mean, there is nothing to ask for. What should I ask for? How many times does it happen that, you know, sometimes,

if some spiritual gurus and asks for something, if such a thing comes, I have no answer. I'm like, thank you God, you saved me here. I'm so so in a good space. So many things could have gone wrong. Correct. But, so well, you know, now I'm wherever I am and something good can happen from here. Absolutely. So, I always look at it like that and somehow it has become a very important part of me only. So I think it is very important and when I do those things,

when I keep talking to my Guru, it helps a lot. What is the definition of success for you, Anmukh? Success to me is how you manage yourself in different areas of your life and I am not just talking about

we see success in a very short term we see it only professionally but we don't see success happening in our relationships, success happening in my inner growth, in my other things in life.

There are so many aspects which are surrounding a person. So we as a country, we just look at professional success and then we discount the rest of the things. But for me, success is a very overall term where you are growing yourself as a person in 4- five different directions

Which all are important. We give importance to only one thing. Which is obviously a very foremost part of us because we devote most of our time to this. So now it has come to a place where I try to make sure that there's a balance in whatever I do because Success to me is more than just my My work. Correct.

So, I see success in that way. Sometimes this thing will be up, sometimes the other thing will be down. That is always fine. It's like I look at life as a project to project thing. Sometimes there comes a time when you are working a lot. Matches are going on, continuously matches are going on.

Then there are two weeks when and are not doing anything. So that's a totally different time which has to be devoted to some other things of your life. So if I can do that nicely in a better way, in a balanced way, that if one thing is going up, the other should not go down. So if it's a balanced equanimity, that is where I look at life. That's how I feel that life should be lived.

Perfect.

You do these 4 things in your own way. Cricket, family, money, peace.

Peace.

Peace.

First of all.

Okay.

Peace.

Family, cricket, money. There is a saying that some people are such that they look for peace in their abilities. And some people are those who move towards their abilities in peace. We are among the others.

So, there should be peace. After that, everything else will be fine.

Best ever IPL captain? Sachin Ganguly.

Sachin. Okay. Sachin Shein Vaughan. Shane Vaughan. Shane Vaughan, Gilchrist. Shane Vaughan.

Shane Vaughan, Dhoni. Dhoni.

Dhoni, Warner.

Dhoni.

Dhoni, Hardik Pandya.

Dhoni. Dhoni, Sanju Samson. Dhoni.

Dhoni, Rohit Sharma.

Dhoni.

Dhoni, Gaut Sanju Samson. Dhoni. Dhoni Rohit Sharma. Dhoni. Dhoni Gautam Kumbhir. Dhoni. I like Dhoni. You have taken such a big name after Dhoni, what is left now?

Now both are the end. Finished?

What do I say now? And how do you see Hardik?

He's a very good player. But I can't say he's a captain.

So a video went viral, Neeta Mani is coming from Darshan or some event. So fans come from behind and say, Madam, it was nice to see you But Rohit Sharma's captain is not there She is going like this

Captain Rohit

Thank you very much Anmol I found this podcast very inspiring Because there are a lot of things to learn from this So please do share this with your friends and youngsters. And what message do you have for aspiring young cricketers and kids watching you? What should be their priority right now?

Those who want to become cricketers.

I always feel fundamentals are the most important thing. Your basics are the most important thing as a cricketer. And keep working hard. There is no shortcut to success. It's an old saying, but again it's a cliched saying, but it is the truth. Your self-belief and confidence are the things you keep forgetting.

You should always keep it in mind, but the more you work hard, the more your doors will open. So that is the most important thing. The primary thing. Even though in today's date people talk about so many different things. But the basics of some things, those have never changed. Correct.

And they will never change. So if you go with those things, then life will be simple. Life will be straightforward and it will open up avenues which you can't even think of. So, discipline is important because again, all these traits, right? What it does is, when you do these things, when you stay disciplined towards things,

when you are disciplined towards your routines, it helps you to go towards your end goal. It helps you in a lot of forces that help you. And it shapes your personality. So personality development is very important for you to reach anywhere. We see success or anything in very narrow terms.

Which is not the case. So I think you should... When you should do all these things, it makes you a very balanced being. It helps you reach towards your goal faster and in a much efficient way as compared to you know, with all the ruckus and all, even though you reach there

Correct.

but by the time you reach there, you're all drained up. And people don't know how to balance it. So I feel, you know, these things areht. Thank you for coming on TRP. Sky is the limit. Sky is the limit, yes.

So keep on doing this. And you have to watch more of us in the upcoming tournaments, World Cup, and while playing cricket. You have to watch us play a lot of cricket. So good luck. And guys, please do share this with your friends and subscribe to the channel. I don't know when we will meet in the next podcast. Maybe when I come to the US, we will have some fun and have a conversation.

If you want to ask a question for that, then most welcome. Thank you once again for watching. Thank you, Anbukh.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

We will have to hug.