'I grew up idolising Sachin'

In form

The match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kings XI Punjab that was held in the City recently had a lot of tense moments.

The game seemed to drag on until Piyush Chawla’s six sealed the matter with only a ball to go. The joy and excitement of having swung the match in his team’s favour was all over Piyush’s face.

“Cricket is all I’ve wanted to play and like many other young aspiring cricketers, I grew up idolising Sachin Tendulkar. For me, the sport has only got better with time.

It’s all about polishing your skills and picking up only the best from the senior players around you,” Piyush tells Metrolife.

The IPL format of cricket might be entertaining for those who watch it but the players go through a lot of mental and physical strain to get past each game.

So, the mantra is to stay cool. “The short span of the game is bound to test and tease your mental faculties but it pays to be calm. That’s what I’ve learnt,” Piyush observes.

Stress apart, though, almost all the players enjoy the IPL and Piyush thinks no differently. “The IPL has obviously brought a whole new quality into the game. The mix is something to watch out for,” he says.

Recalling some of the best moments during this season, Piyush says the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders is one that he can never forget .
“It was a huge victory for us to beat the Kolkata Knight Riders. Every wicket was important,” he recollects.

Since he’s occupying himself with cricket and all things related, Piyush hasn’t managed to grab any time for other things. “The team bonds well and we have our own little light moments but I can’t wait to get back home and spend time with my family.

I’ve been away from home for so long that I am now yearning to go back,” he wraps up.