He welcomed us with a smile and settled down to chat with his trademark candour in place. Sourav Ganguly was busy shooting for a Complan campaign — of which he is the West Bengal brand ambassador — at United World School, Infinity Benchmark Building in Sector V. The campaign is aimed at building awareness about protein deficiency among kids. In between shots, Sourav shared it all — from juggling various things to his need to take a break. 

Were you a Complan boy?

I was, actually. My father used to make me drink Complan. There was only one flavour then. Now they have come out with different flavours. I remember my father used to say that Complan has the maximum protein. So when they came to me three months ago to endorse it, I said you know, life comes  full circle. 

Were you a fussy eater?

No. I was a big eater. Baritey options chhilo na… baba’r bokuni tey options chhilo na. I used to eat everything. My brother had problems eating, but not me. I used to eat huge portions — biryani, mangsho-bhaat. The only think I never liked was milk. Now I would tell the kids to eat everything. Make sure you have your proteins. And then just go and play.    

Any childhood food memories?

I had 10 eggs once when I was young. It was a competition with my brothers. And they were not cooked eggs… my brothers challenged me that I couldn’t eat raw eggs. I fell sick after that but nobody scolded me. My father just said, don’t do this again. 

Is Sana (daughter) a fussy eater?

When she was small, she was but now she isn’t. It depended on her mood. When Sana was growing up, my mother-in-law used to say if she doesn’t eat, she doesn’t eat. The moment she gets hungry she will eat but that was never the case. Dona (wife) used to force-feed her.

Did you go on a special diet once your started playing cricket?

Diet started only when I stopped playing. When we were playing, we trained so hard that we used to burn everything we ate. 

The Indian dressing room must have been full of foodies...

Definitely! Everyone eats! Sachin (Tendulkar) loves crab. Yuvraj (Singh) loves his food. 

What are your food memories from your travels?

In Australia I used to like the Mongolian lamb, jeta ekhon khub ekta paoa jai na. 

You are looking leaner…

I have lost weight, na? I have started doing weights. I train at home for an hour every day, five times a week. I run too. I need to lose a bit more, which will happen. I don’t eat carbs now.

What happens to the biryani then?!

Once in 15 days or a month. I needed to lose weight because of television. No rice, no roti… nothing. In the morning, I’ll eat an egg and a banana; I don’t have bread. Tea is a must and I love juice. In the afternoon, I’ll have a bit of salad. In the evening, fish and chicken.

So, you are becoming like Prosenjit (known for his strict diet)…

I am not that bad! (Laughs) But I am on a diet.

(“It’s impossible to skip good food the year round. That only (Tolly star) Prosenjit can do. No one else! Shamney roll aar o shosha khachhe! Impossible!” Sourav had joked in an adda at the t2 office in 2016). 

Are you loving it?

I hate it… it’s a struggle. People sitting at the table having bhaat, dal, mangsho, rosogolla… and you are… 

So, why are you punishing yourself?!

To lose weight. Dona tells me every day that she wants to lose weight. The moment she sits on the dining table she eats everything!    
    
So, life is good?

It’s good but too hectic, which is not very good actually.

You are travelling a lot…

I travel for work. Shoots, sponsorships, cricket. It’s not a very happy life at the moment. Work has to reduce and it will... I’ll give up a few things, I won’t take on new assignments. I was asked to host another TV programme, which I refused. There is no time.

CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal, of which Sourav is the president) takes up a lot of time. You realise that there is no end to it. It keeps piling up. Otherwise life is zero. Your are only working. By the time you are back home, you are so tired, you are half dead. It’s no fun... it doesn’t feel good.

I want to commentate on India’s tour to England. So that’s a good break for me. I love that country. So, I’ll take a break.

Sana just wrote her ICSE…

Sana is growing like an elastic! She has already started studying for Class XI. I don’t know why! I tell her to take a break. She wants to do banking when she grows up.   

What does Sourav Ganguly want in the next couple of years?

Chhutti! I want two-three months off from everything to actually recharge and come back. Let’s see when that happens.

What is your message for Sourav? Tell t2@abp.in