Covering Bollywood and the Hindi Cinema

Preity Zinta is busy with IPL these days and looks like her acting career has taken a backseat. Here she speaks to Mumbai Mirror about IPL, SRK and life in general.

• Your IPL team has made it to the semi-finals.

Well, there were ups and downs when our team started out and I wasn’t sure where we were heading. I used to wonder what I was doing at the initial IPL meetings. So, I took the matter seriously and did my homework. I came out a winner finally. It feels good as I've worked very hard to get here.

• You seemed to be cheering Sachin Tendulkar even though he was in the opposite team…

Yes, I was. For me, it’s not about winning only. Both the teams played extremely well on Wednesday. I was so much on the edge of my seat that I nearly toppled over.

• Did you brief Sreesanth about keeping his temper in control?

No, I don't instruct anybody. It's not my job. We have a coach and a captain to do that. I don't think it is right for me to intervene during matches.
• You're the first woman from the entertainment business to have forayed into sports in such a big way...

Am I? Let's see where we are headed. If my team wins the Cup, then I can proudly say yes, I've done it. It hasn't been easy. I have put in a lot of effort to get players from different countries together, it signifies true sportsmanship. Looking back, I don't know how we managed to do it. Now, when we've made it to the semi-finals, what we really want is the Cup.

• Have you personally gained from the whole experience?

I've learnt a lot about cricket. I feel very nervous during the matches though. Our team has had a good overall performance. I’m proud of them. Yuvraj has been an outstanding captain.

• The general consensus is that Ness and you managed to get the best IPL team…

We have the most balanced team. We also wanted a young and India-heavy team. People think that we have a glamorous team. But, our prerequisite was talent and the glamour is just an add-on element.

• What is it like to have Shah Rukh Khan as a competitor?

I don't see him as competition. He’s a colleague and a dear friend. IPL is not about Shah Rukh or me. We are not playing on the field anyway.