“It pumps me up – the whole idea of the bowler marking his run-up, popping at the crease, the crowd chanting, nerves building up. It’s a very good feeling. Right from the first ball, I know I have to be at the top of my game.”

If you want to learn to be happy, let a kid remind you how!

Mrs. Charulata ji was the woman of the match for me.

Bat in hand, helmet on, pads on gloves on, shoes on: I am complete.

Hit the gym like it’s a short ball.

We have to win everything. The last time we went to South Africa, we had an opportunity to win the series, but things didn’t work out.

Our reefs are the heart and souls of our oceans. Nothing makes me happier than a healthy reef.

Nothing is easy in cricket. Maybe when you watch it on TV, it looks easy. But it is not. You have to use your brain and time the ball.

I’m learning from my past mistakes and trying to correct them as I move forward. Experience at the international level has probably taught me what it takes to probably go out there and get a 100 or to build an innings or to win a game.

No matter how talented you are or naturally gifted you are, there’s no substitute to hard work if you got to maintain standards.

Seeing off the new ball is important for me. I know that once I do that, the only way I could get out could be from my own mistake.

People are impatient. They want things to happen overnight, and have no idea of the circumstances and situations that can surround an individual at times.

Ganesh Chaturti has always been one of my favourite festivals since I was a kid!

My job is to help Virat in the field. He is the captain, and whenever he looks up around, I should be around to complement him and help him as much as I could.

Isn’t blue such a good color? Let’s try and keep it that way.

There are things we control – but things that are not in control, no point wasting time and energy into that.

In the IPL, you are often single-handedly responsible for the fortunes of your team. It makes you more responsible as a player.