When I was 15, I started playing first class cricket and always dreamt of being a Test cricketer, wanted to do something for the country, married in 1995, have 2 kids it’s been great.
It’s important to work hard – there’s no short cut around that.
I have never believed in comparisons, whether they are about different eras, players or coaches.
I get 0.5 seconds to react to a ball, sometimes even less than that. I can’t be thinking of what XYZ has said about me. I need to surrender myself to my natural instincts. My subconscious mind knows exactly what to do. It is trained to react. At home, my family doesn’t discuss media coverage.
I hate losing and cricket being my first love, once I enter the ground it’s a different zone altogether and that hunger for winning is always there.
If one man is representing India in cricket, then yes, blame that person when things go wrong.
Beating Pakistan is always special because they are a tough team and we have a bit if a history regarding Pakistan.
It has been very good here, but the World Cup game was different. It had a different significance to it.
Lara’s done very well recently and I never had any doubts about the abilities of Lara or Waugh.
There have been ups and downs, but it has taught us a lot in life. Going with the team through those ups and downs is a terrific journey.
Any team sport, there are certain team targets and those targets should always be in the forefront.
I believe in controlling the control elements. Something where we don’t have control on certain things, those things you obviously cannot waste your energy in trying to figure out ‘How can I control this?’ You would much rather focus all your energy on the things that you can control.
When I walk into bat, I should know that ‘Yes, I’ve prepared to the best of my ability. I couldn’t have done anything better.’ That is when I feel that I am ready to go out and play.
To me, pre-match preparation is extremely important because that’s something which is within my control.
I’m confident and I trust my instincts.
I fail sometimes, I succeed sometimes, so that’s fair enough. It’s a package deal. It comes with that package: failures and success.
It’s about not accepting every challenge thrown at you. Sometimes you hold back and when it’s needed you go for it.
I have played for 15 years and it has been a dream.
Obviously after such a long gap, one itches to get back to the game and score big runs.
New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori is a very good bowler.
My point of view is that when I am playing cricket I cannot think that this game is less or more important.