'Media hype put a lot of pressure' - Unmukt Chand on being labelled as the "Next Virat Kohli" [Exclusive]

Published - 11 Sept 2025, 21:30 IST | Updated - 11 Sept 2025, 22:25 IST

In an exclusive interaction with CricTracker, India's Under-19 World Cup captain from 2012 season Unmukt Chand opened up on various topics. Reflecting on the time when the media labelled him as the 'Next Virat Kohli', the star cricketer admitted that such comparisons initially created pressure on him, but he now chooses to take them differently. The right-handed batter, who currently plays the majority of his cricket in the United States of America, also emphasized that fringe players deserve better care and support.

The 32-year-old further highlighted that Indian cricket is progressing steadily, with more leagues emerging and youngsters getting ample opportunities to showcase their talent. Chand, who is a New Delhi-born, acknowledged the encouragement he has received from cricketing legends throughout his journey, noting that everyone has always been supportive and helpful. Here's how the conversation went:

Well, looking back, we can have so many different permutations and combinations. When the media hype happens, it definitely puts a lot of pressure on you in terms of the external expectations that are way beyond what I could have thought of.

And then every match starts feeling too important, which sometimes puts undue pressure on you, which sometimes is not very good to have. But again, these things are not in my control.

All I can do is keep playing my best cricket. And that's how I take my life. I think handling those pressures has shaped me into the person I am today. So I take it in a very positive light as of now.

Well, I think the Indian cricketing system is doing a very good job right now. Producing so many players, it's a machine that is happening. That's why we have the top teams in all three formats.

I feel that if one thing I had to change, well, not really change, but again, it's important to also make sure that the fringe players are looked after well. Nowadays, they are obviously getting more opportunities in terms of more A series.

Now, with the domestic league also coming in, like DPL for Delhi, you have the UPCL, and TNPL has been going on for a very long time. This is a great platform now for the youngsters to portray themselves, show themselves on a scale that is directly being seen by IPL teams. So that's a great development that has happened over the last few years, which is very good.

I have had the privilege to play with some of the top legends of this game. They have definitely been open in terms of sharing their experiences whenever I try to reach out to them. I have got good support from them over the years. It is a friendship which we have developed over the years. It is always good to have people who have done more than you, who have faced certain situations which you haven't faced. They have been pretty helpful.