Sujit Nayak, 31, is an impressive cricketer. His power-hitting exploits in T20 Mumbai have caught the attention of fans around the country. But one look at him reveals that he is no ordinary sportsman: his drive and zeal towards improving his game remains as strong as it’s ever been.
So, what makes him adopt such a positive outlook towards life? And how has he become the cricketer he is today?
The beginnings of his journey
“I started playing professional cricket at the age of 19. Even before that, I used to play cricket, but only as a recreational activity which helped me avoid my studies.”
His transformation from being a teenager weighing 135 kilos to a fit athlete has been well-documented. But the journey he has undertaken along the way is less obvious to his fans.
“The beginning of my professional journey was overwhelming because I had no idea as to how this sport functioned,” he says. “So, adapting to basic things which are required for the sport such as good nutrition, training and recovery regimes were concepts that I had never even heard about before.”
Cricketing culture in his family
His father, Suru Nayak has played for India in both ODI and Test formats. His brother has represented the United Arab Emirates cricket team in the past as well. Suffice to say, Sujit has always looked up to his family for cricketing inspiration.
“I was always associated with the sport because my entire family lived and breathed cricket. All discussions at home revolved around this beautiful sport. But I never took them seriously. While growing up, I was more inclined towards sports like football and hockey in my school, but was never serious about any of them.”
This perspective, of course, was about to change soon.
Late bloomer, but a significant one
Only after graduating from college did Sujit start looking towards cricket as a serious career for himself. So, did his delayed entrance to the world of cricket affect his growth as a professional?
“Yes, definitely!” he recollects. “Obstacles are a part and parcel of everyone's cricketing journey. I had to overcome a lot of challenges because I was competing against players who grew up in the ranks in Mumbai's cricket.
“I had to fight against existing mindsets. I was also new to the circuit, and I was heavily overweight. I hardly played school and age group for Mumbai. So, not only did I have to announce my presence, but I also needed to consistently perform in club and corporate cricket to gain respect and move forward.”
Evolution of his lifestyle
It’s been a tough journey for Sujit to completely change his lifestyle and improve his fitness. But he looks back at this phase of his life with fondness. “A lot of people worked really hard behind me. The entire Reliance One management backed me, because they had identified my potential.
“Nonetheless, I had to make a complete 360-degree change in my thinking, because I never knew the importance of nutrition and fitness before meeting them. I was in my own comfort bubble, and all I knew was that I had to go on the field and perform.
“But I never knew that the things professional sportsman do behind the field is what matters the most. That's how one excels – with consistency. And that's what the entire team of trainers, physios and managers did for me during that phase. They made me understand the importance of putting in the effort behind the scenes.”
Indian Premier League
He has been in the IPL squads of the Mumbai Indians as well as the Delhi Daredevils in the past. The time he spent with elite players in these dressing rooms has influenced the way he views the game.
“From not playing cricket professionally to sharing the dressing room with legends is a feeling that cannot be described,” he says. “This happened within three years, and I will always be grateful to the Reliance One management team who gave me that opportunity to be a part of their franchise after consistently performing for them at the corporate level.
“Thanks to the IPL, I have gained a lot of knowledge. I made new relationships that are still going strong. Watching senior statesmen and international cricketers go about their preparations and work on their skillset changed the way I think. It showed me the difference between an upcoming cricketer and a well-established player.
“People in both the franchisees were so humble, giving, and passionate towards helping young players like me. Thanks to that experience, not only did my skills change, but my entire way of thinking changed. I now knew what professional cricket is all about.”
Courtesy : iplt20.com
Consistency is now a backdrop to his success
His time at the best T20 league in the world has also accelerated the ease with which he’s settled into his new fitness routine.
“It's very easy to follow my regime now, because my entire lifestyle has changed. My preferences, my thinking and my drive has changed. The major contributors to these are not only the IPL team management, but also because I was fortunate enough to come across three fantastic individuals in the last couple of years. Mr. Yogesh Kanchgar, Mr. Abhishek Sawant and Sayali Naik.
“They have completely revamped me and my thinking towards these important aspects. And as I said, fitness for me now has become a lifestyle so whether I am playing or not, the process will always go on.”
Playing in the T20 Mumbai league
“The T20 Mumbai league has revived my career, and there is no doubt in that at all. I had almost walked away from cricket due to a lack of opportunities,” he reveals. “But after the introduction of the T20 Mumbai league, one thing led to another. And today, I owe it all to this platform, which has not only helped me, but a lot of cricketers in Mumbai who have made a mark in this tournament and helped them climb the ladder of success.”
Courtesy : Sujit Nayak Twitter
On his relationship with Yuvraj Singh
Sujit is a left-arm batsman. Anyone who’s ever seen him bat knows that his full-fledged, hard-hitting bat swing is as effective as it is reminiscent of the former Indian great’s unique style.
“The development of my technique has been natural,” he says. “but I've admired him a lot since my childhood. The moment I saw Yuvi Pa in the NatWest Series in England back in 2000, I was automatically attracted towards the way he plays and carries himself on the field. I was fortunate enough to share the dressing room with him during my corporate stint with Air India a couple of years ago. And although I was awestruck, I still remember each and every word that he said to me. They are embedded in my mind and they keep pushing me till this date.”
“When a player of his stature tells you things about yourself that even you are not aware of, you've got to consider yourself lucky. And lucky I am, because ever since that conversation, he has always been just a phone call or a message away whenever I need him.”
Handling the demands of top-level domestic-cricket
Being a part of gruelling schedules is a given for most professional cricketers in the country. On the other hand, it is less obvious that everyone approaches the stress of consistently performing in their own way.
“I have no routines as such,” he affirms, when asked about any rituals he might follow before a game. “I always like to keep things simple. whenever I am put in a challenging situation, I always try and work a way around it by keeping things simple. We as professionals are now very well aware of the fact that this sport has more down's than ups. My only philosophy in life is to keep it simple, keep pushing and face all hurdles with a big smile on your face.”
Playing during the pandemic
“Us domestic players were very lucky that the BCCI organised and held the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year,” he says. “The bio-secure bubble was fantastically organised with the help of the Apollo team and the various state associations. None of us had ever been in such a situation before. But we were out there to play and that's what kept us motivated. At the end of the day, I was really happy that I was doing what I loved. The whole bio bubble situation did not affect me at all.”
He adds – “We dominated the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year, and I was fortunate enough to be a part of the team. That's the icing on the cake for me.”
Innovating to keep up with regime
“The only challenge during the pandemic has been outdoor training and progression in terms of weights. I have been keeping it interesting by changing my weekly training routines with the help of Yogesh and Abhishek.
“My elder brother has played a major role in me being consistent and progressing in all departments as well. He has invested great amount of time and effort to making sure things are on track. He has been monitoring my daily intake, my output and also helps me a lot to make sure that I don’t lose out on my cricketing skills development during this time.
“I have always been someone who adapts to situations and surroundings, and that's how I and my training has evolved during this pandemic. I have also set up a mini-gym at home which has all the necessary equipment that are needed for a professional athlete.”
On his plans for the future
“I used to always have my eyes set on the future,” he says, “but the pandemic has taught me a great life lesson – no one knows what's going to happen in the future, so one might as well focus on the present.
“I have adapted the same philosophy in my life. My job is to keep getting fitter and faster. To keep performing and break the door instead of knocking on it. The rest is something that I cannot control, because if I want to challenge the ones sitting at the top, I need to make sure I am prepared enough. When the opportunity arises, I will grab it with both hands.
“As I said, I like to keep things simple, and take my blessings as they come. I do have goals in cricket, because if you don’t have any, there is no point in playing. Whether I achieve them or not is subjective. But at the end of the day, when I ask myself the question ‘Did you give it your best,' my answer will always be a big yes.”
Video of Sujit's sensational unbeaten 99 against ARCS Andheri.
