“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.”

My love for cricket drives my attitude.

Months of uncertainty and hard work, and it all boils down to THIS very moment, the moment that makes us who we are.

Kit up, pick your bat and focus on the next mission.

I am happy with the way I hit the ball. There is a certain element of power into it but not completely. It is like 80 per cent timing and 20 per cent power. Why do I need power hitting when I can clear the ropes with timing?

Between net practice sessions, there’s another game I play when chilling with the team – trying new cuisines.

Cricket has taught me how to overcome impossible challenges. The ground is where I find most joy and happiness.

To make this world a better place we need compassion but we also need accountability for our actions.

Comebacks are not at all easy. After a major surgery, the difficult part is to conquer the inner demons. It’s all in the mind. Only an individual can overcome his fears.

There will be times in South Africa when we will be challenged as a team. We have to stand up to that.

Every time you play for your country, there is responsibility. But when you are captaining, you can say so; you have to lead from the front and make sure the team follows the direction you want them to.

Keep your heart in the game, and you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

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

It’s a cliche, but you will always be your most fierce competitor.

Every single one of us wanted this win, you could see it, you could feel it and watching it play out was incredible.

Gratitude to all the coaches, teachers and mentors of the game who helped me understand this game better.

Some of the most inspiring people in my life are the women in it. I have always found that they carry so much power in the roles they played in my life.

Is it [hunting] really a sport if you have all the equipment and your opponent doesn’t know a game is going on?

I thought marriage was tough. Golf’s like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel! It’s a psychological game that gets into your blood.

Obsession is a young man’s game, and my only excuse is that I never grew old.

Video games are one step before a whole other virtual universe.

In addition to needed gun control reforms, America urgently needs a stronger protest movement dedicated to reducing the glorification of violence in our culture – in music, film, television, video games, and even the Internet.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

There’s the hype stuff that people love for five minutes and then there’s the stuff that changes cultures and shifts how you look at music. And then there’s that rare point where that hype stuff changes the game.

You don’t win or lose the games because of 11 you select. You win or lose with what those 11 do on the field.