Sahil Kumar: The Haryanvi Cyclist Who Mastered Marathi for Love
On January 19, 2026, a remarkable moment unfolded in Pune during the prologue race of the Pune Grand Tour. Sahil Kumar, a cyclist from Haryana, left everyone in awe by speaking fluent Marathi. Many spectators might have mistaken him for a local resident of Pune. His words, "Ekdum bhari route hota," meaning the route was really good, echoed through the player's arena on FC Road.
From Kurukshetra to Pune: A Journey of Language and Love
Sahil Kumar hails from Kurukshetra in Haryana. He serves as a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force. Over the years, he has won multiple national-level medals in cycling. Naturally, he speaks Hindi with a distinct Haryanvi accent. However, his connection to Maharashtra runs deep through his personal life.
He credits his wife, Komal Deshmukh, for teaching him Marathi. Komal is from Pimpri-Chinchwad and is also a cyclist. She represents the railways team and has earned national medals herself. The couple's story began at a cycling camp in Delhi back in 2016. They started as friends, then began dating, and finally got married a year ago.
Sahil recalls how he developed an interest in Marathi. After meeting Komal, he often heard her speaking with her parents on the phone. He found the language appealing and decided to learn it. He would ask Komal for the meanings of various words, and she patiently explained them. With her encouragement, he dedicated five to six years to mastering Marathi. Now, he speaks it fluently.
A Two-Way Language Exchange
The language learning between Sahil and Komal is not one-sided. Komal has also picked up Haryanvi. Whenever she visits Sahil's family, she converses with his parents in proper Haryanvi. This mutual effort highlights their strong bond and respect for each other's cultures.
The couple currently resides in Patiala but makes regular trips to Pune to visit Komal's parents. Sahil first came to Pune in 2017 to meet her father. Both families supported their relationship without any issues. Sahil has also grown fond of local Pune cuisine, particularly enjoying poha.
Sahil Kumar's Impressive Cycling Career
Sahil has been a part of the Indian national cycling team for over eight years. His elder brother, who is also a cyclist, introduced him to the sport in 2012 when Sahil was just 14 years old. Since then, he has achieved numerous accolades.
At the 38th National Games in 2025, Sahil won gold in the Scratch Race, silver in the Road Race, and bronze in the Omnium. He has represented India at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and the Asian Track Championships. Additionally, he played a key role in helping the Indian Air Force team secure the national title at the 29th National Road Cycling Championships in 2024.
His other notable achievements include:
- Gold at the Track Asia Cup in 2017 for Team Sprint
- Three gold medals at the National Championship in 2021 for Road Race, Team Time Trial, and Criterium
- Gold at the National Games in 2025 for Scratch Race
- Gold at the National Track Championship in 2024 for Team Pursuit
In the prologue race of the Pune Grand Tour, Sahil clocked a finish time of 8:52:70. Looking ahead, his personal goal is to podium at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
This story of Sahil Kumar is not just about athletic prowess but also about cultural integration and love. It shows how personal relationships can bridge linguistic gaps, creating beautiful connections beyond the sports arena.
