Learnt a lot from Kevin Pietersen, Virender Sehwag during IPL, says Unmukt Chand
Mumbai: Young Indian batsman Unmukt Chand, who led the Under-19 team to World Cup victory last year, today said he has learnt a lot from the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Virender Sehwag while sharing the dressing room with them during the Indian Premier League.
"It is not about scoring runs but being with the team for two months. You get to play with players like Kevin Pietersen (of England) and Sehwag, which is always helpful and they keep telling you things. Being with them you get a feel of how the environment is, so it is helpful," said Unmukt at the launch of his book -- 'The Sky is the limit' -- here today.
The Delhi batsman, who made his debut in the cash-rich league at the age of 18, said it was difficult facing world class pacers like Lasith Malinga and Shaun Tait.
"I got the experience quite early, I was 18 that time. It was different. I was pretty oblivious to what was happening around me when I faced Malinga for the first time and got bowled on the second ball itself, so that was something of baptism by fire but you understand the nuances than thinking too much," the 20-year-old said.
Unmukt's book encapsulates India's triumph at the 2012 Under 19 World Cup and youngster explained, "These are the memoirs of the World Cup. Obviously the main part is the journey from the time we went together for the first time till the World Cup final.
"I just wrote about the preparation, I have not written on the World Cup. The different difficulties we faced and also I wrote about my early cricketing days, how the IPL has helped me," he added.
Unmukt said he had a habit of maintaining diaries and at his uncle's advice he compiled it to write the book.
Stating that early exposure of playing in overseas conditions help the players, Unmukt said, "We lost the first three matches on trot but eventually went on to win the World Cup. It takes time to get adjusted to the condition. The difference is there and you need to adapt to those condition and play a few games. It really helps playing abroad."
Unmukt also interacted with school children and told them to concentrate on both cricket and studies.
