“This was my third year of ACB and I’m glad that I’m part of this kind of event because it’s serious cricket that is being played. Dilip Agrawal (founder) will never compromise with the game because he loves cricket too much, he does it seriously and he makes sure that people who are playing cricket with him are serious as well. It doesn’t matter if they’re actors or they’re cricketers. It’s fun to be a part of ACB,” he says, adding, “In ACB, all the actors who are playing have played cricket earlier too. We all want to win and we all take this game very seriously. We don’t want to compromise with any match, we forget that all of us are friends and play it seriously on the cricket ground.”
Talking about the founder, Dilip Agrawal, he says, “Dilip Agrawal is a one-man show, if you minus Dilip there is no ACB at all because managing so many things all together is not easy. I think he is a master of these things and it’s not just about managing but he makes sure that everyone takes part in this seriously and is professional, which I think is the best part about him. He is brilliant.”
Cricket is very important in India, says the actor, adding, “Cricket is a religion in India and the biggest reason for that is that people might not know a lot of things, but everyone will know how to play cricket! It will stay forever this way, football is slowly taking people’s attention but that will take time.”
Ask him who is his favourite cricketer, and he says, “It started from Sachin Tendulkar, then, right now Virat Kohli is my favourite. Not just because he is a good cricketer but he has created the fitness culture. It’s important to note that cricket is not just about hitting a shot but also about fitness, if you are fit, you are mentally strong as well.”
Meanwhile, the actor is looking forward to the upcoming season of IPL. “Initially KKR was my favourite because it’s SRK’s team and he’s my favourite. But, at the same time, Bangalore has its own charismatic appearance, that is RCB. And, of course, I stay in Mumbai so supporting Mumbai Indians is a must. I also love Chennai because of MS Dhoni and I even liked Punjab because of Rahuol. So every team has a player who I am attached to! But RCB is my favourite,” he says.
