“I don’t really read a lot of newspapers. I don’t pay attention to what is being said or written about me. I’ve had lots of experiences in the past when I got too much into it. That sort of diverts your focus.”

Focused & ready to go.

Tough game but happy to be on the winning side.

During my school days, I was doing a play, and my costume fell on the stage. I really wish it didn’t happen.

I always dreamt of holding the bat and winning games for India. That was my inspiration to take up cricket.

It undoubtedly feels nice when you are being appreciated and you get complimented by girls. Who doesn’t like that? Having said that, I don’t take it as any pressure.

Never at any point did I feel like missing a training session. I was very keen on improving as a cricketer and as an international player.

When you absolutely love what you do, everything just flows.

The more centuries that I am able to score, the happier I will be.

The bat is not a toy, it’s a weapon. It gives me everything in life, which helps me to do everything on the field.

Remember who you are and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Nothing extraordinary happens to a cricketer if you time his career – which is very short.

In the game of cricket, a hero is a person who respects the game and does not corrupt the game. The one who doesn’t or corrupts the game, they are the villain. They should be punished, and they have been punished in the past.

Self-belief and hard work will always earn you success.

I want to be relaxed in my personal life. I really don’t like to be hassled.

Real fun is in a real challenge.

I don’t really focus on these things – on what tags are given to me or what people think of me off the field – stuff like that. My main focus is always to do well on the field for the Indian cricket team. When people say good things about me off the field, I am more than happy to accept them.

I envy paranoids; they actually feel people are paying attention to them.

Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.

You must all pay attention to your health first.

I’m trying to preach the idea that if we don’t pay attention to history we’re destined to repeat it.

If you have to talk to more than three people about the same problem, you don’t want help, you want attention.

Surprisingly few men are lacking in capacity, but they fail because. they are too indolent to apply themselves with the seriousness and the attention that is necessary to solve important problems.

Don’t workout because you think you ‘need’ to, do it because your body deserves love, respect and healthy attention.

Place your attention 6 inches above your crown. God is breathing in and out there.