“Halla to hoga sir,” Chirag Suri says with a lot of excitement in his voice. The Indian-origin right-handed batsman has represented the UAE at the highest level and is now a part of the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 league. Suri moved to the UAE at the age of 10 and a half and is now making a mark in international cricket. In an exclusive conversation with News18 CricketNext, Virat Kohli fan Suri talks about his journey and the importance of ILT20. Excerpts:
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When did you start playing games?
I was born in Delhi and as they say, “it’s in our blood”. My family, my father loves the game and I am one of those people who grew up watching cricket around me. My father was my first coach. He got me a plastic bat on my third or fourth birthday and I would play on our lawn. I used to play the game day and night. Since then fell in love with the game.
At what age did you move to UAE?
I was 10 and a half years old, in fifth grade. It has been a journey of almost 17 years which has treated me very well.
Did your cricket start before moving to UAE?
Yes. I was seven when I joined an academy in Delhi. I was in Modern School, so I started playing these tournaments from second grade. When I was in the fourth grade, I became the captain of the school. I knew it was something I loved to do.
How happy are you playing for DC?
Absolutely. The connection between Dubai and Delhi feels like my journey. Fit very well in that way. I am really excited and happy to be a part of it.
You really like Robin Uthappa and he will be a part of the team with you. feel what?
I’ve watched him over the years and it’s amazing to be around the consistency he has over the years. This is a huge exposure that we are getting. Also, you get to learn a lot just by watching him in the nets and practice sessions. This is a great opportunity for us. He is very polite and welcoming and open to questions. He says, “If you want to learn, then ask. Why not puchre (if you want to learn ask questions)”. It is that kind of nature that is very inspiring. I would love to repeat it. If you can help someone in a small way, that’s great.
What do you guys (UAE players) hope to achieve from this tournament?
look we played World Cups have been a part of some other franchise tournaments recently and we are getting exposure. But it is a top tournament. It is going to be one of the top tournaments in the world because of the kind of players playing it, the way things are being managed and the kind of promotion, all the players are really excited to play this tournament Huh. The opportunity that we are getting to play in the competition and represent a big franchise, it is a great opportunity for us. If we perform here, we can draw people’s attention towards us. Different doors may open for us. Having said that, the players are looking to perform and not just be a part of it. Also, we know the conditions and this is an added advantage for us. We are looking to make an impact in this tournament. There are some other big names in the side and the tournament. Are you excited to play with another special player?
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When you talk of the best batsmen in the world, Joe Root’s name always comes to the fore. I think it’s wonderful to be with her. You get to learn a lot just by being around them. I would ask him how to approach a particular situation or when you are performing well, how do you stay grounded and how do you handle pressure. Such interactions with players like him are of great importance.
Apart from him, there is also Yusuf Pathan. These are the players who have played or are playing for their respective national sides and IPL side for a very long time. So, I would just ask them how to be consistent. This is a very exciting time for us.
You are the fourth highest run scorer in T20Is for UAE. Are you hoping for similar success for your team in this tournament?
The year 2022 was very good for us. We qualified for the World Cup. I scored runs in T20 Internationals and in ODIs also I was among the top 15 batsmen in the world. So, I think it was a great year for me and to top it off, getting a contract with ILT20 and having my own league is amazing. If we do well here, we will get recognition and it will open many doors.
My aim is to perform for my team and help the unit win. I am waiting for the opportunity.
What has been your fan boy moment?
Virat Kohli is my ultimate idol. The way he has groomed himself over the years and the way he has transformed his fitness and other things is amazing. Also, he is a Delhi boy, so, I have always been very attached to him and love his energy.
You can change some things in yourself but some things are natural and a player should maintain it. Virat bhai has brought out the best out of both. Now he is such an amazing player.
Let us talk about the different positions and how a batsman should plan his innings accordingly?
Talking about Dubai Stadium, our wicket is usually very good. There are times when there is little grass and it seams a little in the first innings, especially with the new ball. So, as a batsman, we need to look at the first three-four overs at this particular spot.
The first six overs matter a lot as Dubai Stadium is a bigger ground than Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. If you have good powerplay overs, you have a very good chance of getting a positive result. Any team will have a strategy to make full use of the powerplay overs while batting or bowling. Sharjah Stadium is a lovely place to bat. It is a good time for cricket to be here in this weather. It is a relatively small ground, so as a bowler you need to be very precise with the lines and lengths. A bowler has to plan specifically for the batsmen. “Sheesha Kehta Hai Hum Sharjah Ko (We call Sharjah a mirror)”. If we get wickets like this, we will see some high scoring wickets.
Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place. There is a domed structure covering the stands. It is open from the sides and has only one cover. So, air and wind play a major role there. Sometimes you will see dew coming in the second innings as well. The wicket in Abu Dhabi is very good, there is something for both batsmen and bowlers. It is a very good cricket wicket.
How will UAE cricket benefit from such a tournament?
See, the way we have performed in the recent past, we are scaling new heights. The growth is happening and having a league of our own gives us and the youth the confidence that they have a future in it. You can be a professional cricketer and not just play it as a hobby and that is the beauty of it. It is just about finding talent and getting them recognized.
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