Writing and batting, all at 20

Life of a 20-year-old cricketer revolves around the game, trying to impress with performances. After a sweaty day, off time is used to rest.

Young Delhi cricketer and U-19 World Cup winning skipper Unmukt Chand spends lesiure penning down his thoughts and recording important events from his life in diaries. Usually sportspersons take to writing after they retire or after a big controversy.

However, Chand, at 20, has started a trend. Though his career is yet to take off, he has come out with a book on his experiences of being a part of the team that won the 2012 U-19 World Cup. In his book titled Sky’s the Limit, Chand has talked about his journey from preparing for the tournament to winning it.

“I was always passionate about writing. And sometime in my career, I would have written a book, but never thought it would be so soon.

“I have always maintained a diary and write everything at the end of the day. One day my uncle asked me why should I not write a book. I kept writing through our preparations and had enough stuff by the time we won. That is how this book came about,” he said.

So what is the book all about? “It’s the memoirs from the World Cup. The main part is the journey from the first time we met, our preparation, the different phases, the tough situations followed by IPL, Ranji Trophy,” he siad.

Even though Chand has come out with a book, he said cricket is priority, not writing. “Whenever I am free in my room, I spend my time just writing things down. Cricket is fun. I love the sport. My first love.” 

Does his senior colleagues Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir know that he has come up with a book? “Yes. They said abhi se hi kitaab likh di ? (You have written a book so soon?) I will give them the book soon,” said Chand.