India-Pakistan ‘potboiler’ match: I can be the best cheerleader: Alia Bhatt
As India readies to take on Pakistan in their opening match of the Champions Trophy on Sunday, Bollywood’s cricket lovers talk about the game and more.
Don’t be surprised if you see deserted streets and empty public places on Sunday. After all, Indian cricket team takes on arch-rival Pakistan in the Champions Trophy (CT) tomorrow (June 4).
With the big-ticket clash, the Men in Blue – who are defending champions too – also kick-start their campaign in the eighth edition of the tournament.
HT chats up with six young actors about the India-Pakistan tie and also their favourite cricketers.
India-Pakistan match evokes maximum enthusiasm: Shahid Kapoor
Plan to watch India’s journey in the CT?
Of course, I am a huge cricket buff, and so I will be rooting for India throughout the championship.
Any special plan to watch the India-Pakistan match today?
It’s going to be a huge match and it’s always exciting to watch an India-Pakistan match, as this clash evokes maximum enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I will be [today] travelling but I will try my best to watch as much of it as possible. I am really kicked about it.
Do you enjoy cricket? Any favourite cricketer/s?
I enjoy cricket a lot. I have been playing cricket since I was a kid and would play for my school team. At one point, I believed that I could be a cricketer. So, I am huge on cricket. It’s the first sport that I loved and learnt the most. There are many phenomenal players in Indian team right now. MS Dhoni will always remain an all-time great one. Virat is a spectacular batsman; possibly the best in the world. Plus, we have other great talents too. We have a really strong side and I am confident that we will go far in the CT.
I am the best cheerleader: Alia Bhatt
Plan to watch India’s journey in the CT?
Of course, I will be watching and cheering for the Indian team throughout the tournament. It’s going to be great fun but will also bring lots of tense moments too.
Any special plan to watch the India-Pakistan match today?
I am going to be a cheerleader (laughs). So, I may not know the ‘B’ of bowling or batting, but I understand that if an India’s match is on, everyone has to sit in front of television, not change the [seating] position [if the match is at a critical stage] and just keep cheering on. I didn’t follow the entire season of IPL but when Mumbai Indians won, I was really happy and felt great. So, I am the best cheerleader (smiles).
Do you enjoy cricket? Any favourite cricketer/s?
I might not know a lot [about cricket] but I am not that clueless too. Virat is a favourite as he is the captain too. I guess we all love him. I also like Shikhar Dhawan. Lately, he has been in good form too.
Virat Kohli is my favourite cricketer: Varun Dhawan
Plan to watch India’s journey in the CT?
Yes, definitely. I think it goes without saying (smiles).
Any special plan to watch the India-Pakistan match today?
I won’t be at home as I’m going to be shooting with my dad (director David Dhawan) today. But the great thing is that he is the biggest cricket fan, so we have made some special plans to keep taking breaks between shots and watch the big match.
Do you enjoy cricket? Any favourite cricketer/s?
Yes, I absolutely love cricket. At the moment, Virat [Kohli] is my favourite cricketer and, of course, he is our captain too. Sunday is a massive day for all of us.
I am cancelling my work plans to watch India-Pakistan match: Sidharth Malhotra
Plan to watch India’s journey in the CT?
You can say that I am fully ready to follow India’s journey in the Champions Trophy. I will either follow it on TV or an app. To make sure that I am always clued in to [what’s happening], I am also making a WhatsApp group with my friends to keep chatting about the matches.
Any special plan to watch the India-Pakistan match today?
Not many may believe that I am cancelling my work plans to sit at home and watch the match. After all, it doesn’t get bigger and exciting than an India-Pakistan match, especially at the CT.
Do you enjoy cricket? Any favourite cricketer/s?
Yes, of course, I do. I grew up in Delhi following cricket. I’m a big fan of MS Dhoni as well as Virat Kohli for their playing capabilities as well strong personalities.
I’ve played under-19 district level cricket: Ayushmann Khurrana
Plan to watch India’s journey in the CT?
I’m a cricket freak and India-Pakistan encounter is bigger than any [Bollywood] potboiler (laughs).
Any special plan to watch the India-Pakistan match today?
Although I’m shooting on Sunday, I will watch the second half of the match live. I plan to go home quickly post pack-up. I’m sure I’ll reach [home] fast because there’ll obviously be less traffic. Sigh. I wish I could see the entire match though.
Do you enjoy cricket? Any favourite cricketer/s?
I’ve played under-19 district level cricket as a leg spinner and a middle-order batsman. My brother Aparshakti (Khurana) has captained the Haryana under-19 team. So, we all love cricket. Right now, my favourite cricketers are Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) and Virat [Kohli]. I must add Sachin Tendulkar is my all-time favourite along with Wasim Akram.
We actually wait for such matches: Bhumi Pednekar
Plan to watch India’s journey in the CT?
Yes, I am a cricket enthusiast. So, be it the World Cup, CT, or any other type of competitive cricket, I try to watch [India’s games] as much as possible.
Any special plan to watch the India-Pakistan match today?
I am very excited about the match. We actually wait for these matches since unfortunately, it happens rarely nowadays. It fills everyone with a sense of nationalism and healthy competitive energy. And that’s a very big reason why I enjoy watching the game.
Do you enjoy cricket? Any favourite cricketer/s?
While growing up, I have been a Rahul Dravid and a Sachin Tendulkar fan. But it’s always thrilling to watch MS Dhoni finishing matches like a pro and Virat Kohli scoring big runs.
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