Mohit Sharma: Not ashamed in speaking Hindi

Besides cricketing legends, Mohit Sharma draws inspiration from movie dialogues and says he implements filmi gyaan in real life too! Like Aamir Khan says in 3 Idiots, “Sab jagah gyaan bant raha hai, jahan se jitna mann kare, le lo,” the 27-year-paceman believes. He says he’s never missed a chance to ask MS Dhoni (he played for IPL’s Chennai team) for tips. “Har kisi se seekh saktey ho, bas kaam lagan ke saath karo,” says Mohit, who prefers to speak in Hindi even while giving post-match speeches.
The cricketer, who recently got married to Kolkata girl Shweta Jaiswal, got talking with us about why he’ll never leave Faridabad and move to Delhi (though he adores the capital), and that he’s comfortable with both Gurgaon and Gurugram.
You seem to be a movie buff.
There are so many lessons that can be learnt from movie dialogues. Agar aap dialogue ko samjhoge toh aapko life ke bahut se messages milenge. Like 3 Idiots teaches us, mujhe koi sharam nahi aati apne seniors se tips maangne mein. Not just Mahi bhai, now that I am with the Punjab team, I also approach Virender Sehwag (team mentor) for tips. I simply go and sit with them and say, ‘sikhao mujhe’ ya ‘iss situation mein kya karna chahiye?’ First-hand experiences and tips are always best and when people ask me ‘tujhe darr nahi lagta?’, I tell them it’s MSD’s ideology which has helped me do away with fear. Sholay ka dialogue hai na – ‘jo darr gaya woh mar gaya’.” (laughs)
So what have you learnt/are learning from Dhoni and Sehwag?
Dhoni is all about patience, cool and strategy – as in how to show aggression without showing any signs of anger. With Viru bhai, it’s different. Personally, I love spending a lot of time with him. He teaches you how one can be made comfortable. He is about freedom. He teaches you to play in a carefree manner as if there was no tomorrow. I keep observing things. Each person has a unique quality or trait and I try to grasp various aspects of different people.
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You mostly prefer interacting in Hindi, even during the presentation ceremony – traditionally an English domain…
Main hamesha hi Hindi bolna chahta hoon. Actually, meri angrezi par pakad itni achhi nahi hai (laughs). Honestly bolun to mujhe garv hai ki main Hindi bolta hoon. Maine dekha hai sab English bolna chahte hain. Par hamari pehchaan toh woh nahin hai na. Jab bade bade politicians from places like China, Russia and France apni languages mein baat karte hain toh humein kya takleef hai? Even players in other sports speak in their language.
After making their international debut, most cricketers move to a bigger city. But you have not relocated from Ballabhgarh (Faridabad).
I will never ever shift base. No doubt, I love Delhi and kai baar toh wahin par hi din aur raat guzarte hain, but main Haryana mein hi rahoonga. I know Delhi is a big city and it has its own charm, especially shopping ka, but I don’t want to move elsewhere. I know that several cricketers have left their native places and moved to the metros. Delhi’s sports facilities and its players’ aggressive streak… I love it.
I have many friends in the capital. Meri toh shaadi bhi Delhi mein hui thi. Vasant Kunj is my favourite area and I love strolling in the malls. My wife (Shweta) loves to shop here too. Which woman doesn’t? (laughs)
What do you have to say about Gurgaon being renamed Gurugram?
Haryana has given me a lot. My first season of cricket started in Haryana and I wish ki last bhi yahin par ho. About Gurgaon/Gurugram, I am fine with both. It’s about development and agar woh sahi se ho rahi hai toh koi issue nahin hai.
Your favourite pacer or player?
Joginder Sharma. I have followed him throughout and he is a great bowler besides being a great and humble human being.