If I have 2 hours, I go to college: Unmukt Chand

Unmukt Chand is sort of the new hero of this cricket-crazy country and very much Delhi's pride, after the U-19 World Cup win that he led his team to. It also helps that he's cute, stylish, and that he landed straight into a controversy after the win. His going to the High Court to be able to give his first year Delhi University exams is still making headlines, and the whys and who's of the case are being dissected daily.
But Unmukt, the most famous DU fuchcha at the moment, could easily, like many other cricketers, have skipped the year and given his exams again, or the year after --- after all, when you're busy travelling, on your way to becoming a national hero and earning big bucks, no one would fault you for choosing that. However, he says, that's just not his way.
You could have given your exams the next year, or the year after, right?
It's not that. I could not attend classes in the second semester because of my Ranji commitments, but during the exams, I could take out time to give them. But when I went to take the admit card, I was not given the card because of low attendance. I even went to the vice chancellor to get it, but it didn't happen at the time.
I was there on the day of the exam in college, but they did not give me the card, so I wasn't allowed to sit for it. So all the sportsies, they went to court to get the stay order, but that day I didn't do it because I had to go to Hyderabad to play the IPL match. When I came back from Hyderabad, I had two more exams left.
I had to go to the court to take the stay order -- file a petition, get the order, and just 15 minutes before the exam, I got the stay order, scanned it, got it faxed, and only then was I allowed to sit for the exams. Obviously, if I hadn't given the exams, I would've had to repeat first year again. And I had given my first semester -- three out of four exams -- so if I could give just three more exams, I could get promoted. That's better than repeating the year.
Is it important for you to get your degree?
It definitely is. I want to get it and graduate.
Even though, if you become a big cricketer, you might not need to...
But I want to.
Is it pressure from family or something you want to do?
Nahin, khud se hi hai. I was always a good student. I was one of the toppers in class when I was in school, I come from an education background -- both my parents are teachers -- so I've always had this habit of studying. Till Class VIII, it was studies first, cricket second. So I keep books with me and padhai se juda rehta hoon. So yeah, I have this thing ke graduation toh karoonga hi apne bal-boote pe.
Apart from the academics, do you miss college life?
I do feel that I am, that is why whenever I am in Delhi, even if I have two hours, I do go to college, attend classes, hang out with friends -- I make sure I'm there. I had a very good time in school, and I do miss college life, so I try to compensate whenever I have matches in Delhi. I do miss the masti of college and also the trips and etc. I haven't been able to go to a single trip from college so far!
And you have no girlfriend/s?
None, there's no time, actually. No GFs, but many girls are my friends. But I'm not dating anyone, no.
Lack of time is the only reason?
You could say that. There's no time at the moment, I'm travelling most of the time so...
And no girl's ever asked you?
(Smiles) Many have, aisa nahin hai, many have... I've had a good time before as well...
So, who is Unmukt Chand?
Everything you need to know about this cute 19-year-old:
From: Mayur Vihar, Ph-I, Delhi
School: Modern, Barakhamba
College: St Stephens
Other sports: I'm a national level swimmer, and I do play other sports as well, shaukiya taur pe -- pool, TT; I watch lawn tennis.
Favourite tennis player:Roger Federer
Hobbies: Reading
Favourite author:Ed Smith
Music: I listen to all the new English and Hindi songs.
English music favourite: Currently, Danza Kuduro
Hindi: These days, Jugni from Cocktail
Last movie watched: Cocktail -- it was okay, a one-time watch.
Favourite actor, actress: All actors and actresses are good, but SRK gets an edge. All actresses are hot, but Anushka and Chitrangda are good. Chitrangda's voice is superb.