“A fit body gives you confidence. And there’s nothing more impressive than a great attitude, which you can wear on your sleeve. But you’ll have to remember the difference between being rude and being confident.”

People from North India are generally known to be aggressive and emotional.

In the end, it’s you who you have to answer to.

I always had a sense of discipline in me. However, there was a time when I couldn’t divide my time properly between off-field things and on-field assignments. The focus would be missing at times, and that would affect my preparation for matches. I managed to change that.

I don’t believe in signing anything and everything that comes my way. I leave it to my agency to help narrow them down for me, but I do research it myself before signing. The image of the brand and its ambassadors go hand in hand.

The first thing I look forward to when I am in Delhi is to spend some time with my family. It’s always lovely coming back here and playing in front of my own people. It’s just a special place.

I do not abuse players. I talk to myself; I abuse myself. It’s my way of letting off steam. I do it after every century; I do not do it always. I keep telling myself: ‘Improve, improve from the previous match, the previous shot. You can do it.’

I wasn’t sure of the exact mindset you should have when you go into a Test match. So I probably became too defensive when I played my first Test match. Short balls in one-day cricket, I have never thought of just defending.

I love wearing whatever is comfortable, and that could be something which was in trend years ago. So, I don’t follow fashion.

I’m a big fan of Aamir Khan, Among actresses, I like Aishwarya Rai.

Whatever I am, it’s natural. I don’t have to pretend to be aggressive, don’t have to show the opposition that I am on the field. Being aggressive comes naturally to me, helps me perform.

Keep your head down and keep working

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.

I’m not someone who sits at home and doesn’t like to go out, doesn’t like to watch movies. I like to live my life.

There are two bowlers who I think are very tough to play against – Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

I like to be myself, and I don’t pretend. For instance, I don’t dress up for occasions; I am what I am.

You just feel a little odd when you don’t get your kind of food. Fortunately, there are Indian restaurants all over the world.

I am aggressive only on court.

It’s not that I wear fantastic clothes, it’s just that clothes look fantastic on me.

I’m always myself. Always. The only difference is that I come off as mean out of drag.

You have to talk about what you love, to bring what you love to you.

I am just a beginner. The two films so far are baby steps. If I develop an attitude, I’ll be finished even before I’ve started. Besides, if I started misbehaving, my folks would give me a tight slap.

When you lose, talk little. When you win, talk less.

I’m a natural-born boss, I have to say. I just like to be good at things. Even as a child, I was boss of my family.

The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.