She might have taken Hollywood by storm, but during IPL, there’s only one PC we care about! KKR backbencher Piyush Chawla on the ball with t2.
What a start to IPL 10!
Yeah, we’ve started on a very positive note. Things are looking very good, the team combination looks really good so far.
What does playing your home games at Eden Gardens feel like?
When you come to your home, the way your fans treat you and they always back you no matter what the situation you are in, so it’s a great pleasure to play in front of the crowd.
And does Calcutta feel like a second home now?
Yeah, definitely. The sort of hospitality we get here whether in the hotel or outside is amazing. We feel great.
Where do you usually hang out when you’re in the city?
There’s a place called Bakstage (Salt Lake) where we go at times. There are a couple of other places.
New season, new jersey, new war cry, but the same old hunger to win?
Once you start playing cricket, your ultimate goal is to perform and win. New jerseys are looking good, but it has nothing to do with our performance. Even if we play in our shorts and
T-shirts, our ultimate goal will still be to perform and win.
Also, you’re a new daddy. Congratulations! How’s that going?
It’s a different feeling. Once you become a daddy, you don’t feel like leaving home. But I had to come and join my other family. But I’m missing that family. I’m on video chat for two-three hours every day. Advik (son) is too young to say anything, but at least I can see him moving. Now he has started responding… he moves his eyes.
He’s very young, but what’s your favourite activity with him?
I was at home for four-five days with him, but he would be asleep most of the time. So I couldn’t interact with him too much (smiles). But when I go back I’m sure there’ll be a lot more fun.
What was the feeling when you held him for the first time?
It took me two days to hold him because I was scared…. he’s too little and delicate. But after two days, I gathered my guts and said to myself ‘Okay, now I’ll do it!’
That LOL moment when t2 asked Piyush who the fitness freak in KKR was
Piyush: There are a lot of them, but not me for sure!
t2: But you’ve lost so much weight!
Piyush: You’re a daddy?
t2: No!
Piyush: Once you become a daddy, you’d know why!
IPL completes 10 years... any standout memory?
I’ve got a lot of memories. I’ve played six years for Kings XI and there also I had a wonderful time and then coming here, it’s a wonderful franchise, I’m enjoying it here. If you ask about my memories in 10 years, I’ve won just one IPL (2014, KKR) and I was fortunate enough to score those winning runs for the team in the crunch situation… so that’s one of the best memories for me.
Chris Woakes told us you always sit at the back of the bus and joke around…
That’s how I am. No matter what the situation is, it’s very important to keep your smile on and chin up because sometimes when you lose a game, the mood in the team goes down, so it is important to cheer everyone up. And it’s the 10th year of IPL, so my seat is fixed right at the back!
So is Yusuf Pathan still your partner in crime?
I think he has graduated a bit so he went a little ahead! I’m still the backbencher because I never complete my homework (smiles). I think now Surya (Kumar Yadav) and Ankit Rajpoot have joined me.
He’s chilled out, loves Beenie Man and Brian Lara. Yes, Darren Bravo, playing his first season with the Kolkata Knight Riders, is a true-blue Carribean. The 28-year-old walked in humming a song and clapping his hands and went on to bat music, Barcelona and Virat Kohli with t2.
What song were you singing?
Oh, it’s a Beenie Man song!
Oh, so you and Dwayne Bravo (half-brother) are both singers?
No, I can’t sing! He sings, he writes and I do the critique. I do the behind-the-scenes work!
So, you gave your inputs on the Champion song as well?
Yeah, I just changed a few lines and names here and there.
Who do you listen to in a tense situation before a match?
I try and avoid listening to music before a match. I just meditate. But normally, I listen to all types of music. Maybe dance hall, reggae or R&B, it depends on my mood.
You were already a Knight (he plays for Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL), but how has your experience been so far in Kolkata Knight Riders?
It’s nice. It’s a dream come true to be part of the KKR family... it’s a very successful franchise. I’m also a part of the Trinbago Knight Riders, which makes it easier for me. The team is nice, it’s a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to having a successful IPL.
Have you got a chance to go around Calcutta yet?
Not as yet. Even though I’ve played here for West Indies, it’s very difficult to get time off. But I want to go to the bridge (Howrah bridge) when I get the time.
WHAT MAKES DARREN GO ‘BRAVO’!
Fave book: Driven from Within by Michael Jordan
Movie: I love action movies. My favourite actor is Jason Statham, so I like to watch whichever movie he’s in
Actress: Angelina Jolie
Song you’re humming: Far From Finished by Voice
Hobby: Just chilling out with friends
KKR BFF: Manish Pandey, my brother… he’s a very nice guy. And Yusuf little bit!
Best attribute: My smile… I think I’m charismatic!
One thing I’d like to change: Nothing! I’m happy
Is Eden Gardens special?
It’s a fantastic stadium. I remember getting my second Test century here, so can’t wait to walk onto the ground in my purple-and-gold jersey.
We Calcuttans have lots of fond memories of West Indian cricketers. Who did you grow up watching?
Brian Lara was the only guy I actually paid attention to. I would switch off my TV whenever he got out and I would go out to bat.
A lot of people compared your batting to Brian Lara. It must have been a huge compliment, but how much pressure did that put on you?
Obviously being compared to Brian Lara is humbling but it also puts a lot of expectations on your shoulders. I didn’t really go out there trying to bat like Brian Lara. I just like to bat like Bravo. Sometimes I perform, sometimes I don’t.
Did you follow any Indian cricketers?
As a kid growing up, or even when you’re playing against Sachin (Tendulkar), it’s amazing. Even the smallest child is screaming for him. He was exceptional... the sort of passion and love they have for him is amazing. He’s definitely one of the most exceptional and greatest to have played the game.
I remember playing against Virat Kohli in the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia and he scored a hundred and I remember thinking ‘he’s going to be very special’ just by looking at him, and look where he is today. He’s definitely the best batsman in the world. Good to know that I can take out my phone and message him ‘Hi Virat, how are you? Congrats!’ and he’ll take the time out to reply, even though he’s a very busy man. I think he’s a motivation for me and other young cricketers.
Do you follow any other sport?
I play football, basketball and cricket. I follow Barcelona but we lost last night (Barcelona lost 0-3 against Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie). I was watching the game with Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan and Kuldeep (Yadav) in my room. We were really disappointed, man! Hopefully we can turn it around in the second leg, although I don’t see it happening. [Sadly for Bravo, Barca was knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus on Wednesday night.]
Text: Saionee Chakraborty & Rwitoban Deb
Pictures: B. Halder
