Cricket is a fact of life in India: Viswanathan Anand

OPEN VIEW: When I became World Champion it was spectacular, says Anand.

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New Delhi: World chess champion has acknowledged that Cricket is a fact of life in India. He was speaking exclusively to Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN’s Devils Advocate Anand.

He also discussed about being a world champion, the challenge that Kramnik poses to his throne and what next after chess.

Being world champion

When I started out playing chess as a kid, one day I thought I should be World Champion. Now as a kid you have no idea what that means, you only sort of picture it - but for me it's hard to imagine and in fact it happened at quite a late stage in my career.

On cricket

I think in India cricket is a fact of life, you have to accept that but my reception when I became World Champion it was spectacular, both times. In 2000 as well we had this parade around Chennai. I think you can always try to promote your sport better but I don't really feel neglected or badly treated in any way

The kramnik challenge

Kramnik went down this road for a week, I replied and then the matter just died, as far as I know neither has spoken much about it - I think it will surface again in July-August

Life after chess

I don't know there are a lot of interesting things. I could find more time with my hobbies. I would still I think enjoy chess as a spectator and continue to do things with the academy I mentioned.