“Every first-class season is important; every game is crucial, irrespective of whether you are in the Indian team or not.”

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.

It feels amazing to be a part of the rhino conservation story in India.

Pride, love and passion for India.

The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.

I’m afraid that sometimes you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ’cause you’ll play against you.

Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.

No matter when or where, always bring your ‘A’ game, because you never know when it will open doors for you.

I have a little bit of that gamer spirit in me. I just don’t have the time to be a gamer. But in another life, I would be one.

Dear Basketball, From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. I fell in love with you.

In a game full of liars it turns out that I’m the truth. Some say that rap’s alive. It turns out that I’m the proof.

It’s never just a game when you’re winning.