Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Preity Zinta is Gorgeous
Team Punjab’s Praveen Kumar opens up to Hyderabad Times about his lucky charm, loyalties that mean nothing, and yes, Preity Zinta.
How is it going in the IPL so far? Is it getting tough?
No, not at all! In fact, I am enjoying every moment of the IPL. We are seventh in the points table, but we are hopeful of a way up.
How much have you been able to interact with your owner Preity Zinta?
We have such a packed schedule that there is hardly any time left for interactions. She does come to meet us sometimes during team meetings and she is always there at the stadium to cheer us, it feels so good. And yes, Preity is gorgeous!
How much of cricket do you think Preity understands?
I think she does understand cricket, not just because she is an owner of the team but also because she follows matches closely.
You played for team Bangalore for the last three years and you are now playing for Punjab, how difficult is it to shift loyalties?
There is no loyalty as such in IPL. The format is such that teams are expected to change. It was Bangalore for three seasons and I gave it my best. But now my team is Punjab. It’s like my family.
How does it feel to be captained by Adam Gilchrist?
Oh! It’s a fantastic feeling. He is such a great cricketer and a very good human being. He is available 24X7 for any help that you need – whether it is related to cricket or any personal problem. He does not make you feel that he is larger than life. We have lots of masti during practice or in the greenroom.
You recently lost your gold chain and refused to go to the stadium. What if you didn’t find the chain, would you not play?
Of course, I would go to the stadium even if I didn’t find the chain. But the loss would have been playing on my mind even as I played. It is not good to lose gold.
Is there any other lucky charm that you carry?
I feel my wife is lucky for me. She came to watch our match in Punjab and we won that. I think she should be there for every match of ours, that way we will win all the matches. I must tell her that! (laughs)
