I just enjoy batting, scoring runs, and contributing for my team.
K. L. Rahul
I am not someone who likes to be in the dressing room and waste time; I like to be on the field all the time and be counted. That is how I am.
I have always liked to attack the bowlers, and batting is all about getting runs.
For anybody, faith and belief are everything you have. Nobody gave me the India cap; nobody taught me to go and get runs. It's a belief I had in myself.
I don't know whether I am mentally tough or not, but one thing I know is that I like the game and spend as much time as possible on it.
You need to be ready to bat, whatever you are given; you have to take what is thrown at you.
As a cricketer - or any sportsperson, for that matter - you like yourself to be tested and get better all the time.
Quite honestly, cricket is same at all levels. It's a game of bat and ball.
Both my parents are teachers, and while they were always cool with what I did, they never let me take my education lightly.
If you are feeling light, and you are not feeling tired in your body, you can obviously concentrate more.
Batting with Dhoni is always a dream for me.
I have always felt that there is no substitute of experience.
When you get a chance to play, if you help them win a game, then the team will start believing that the player can also do this for the team. So building that confidence for yourself and the team is very important.
Everybody has different ways of playing the game.
When I came into Test cricket, I was good but not as good as I am now.
Everybody enjoys each other's success. We are always pushing each other to get better on the field and off the field, helping each other out in the nets or in the gym. That's the most important thing.
Where I play is not for me to decide.
Wherever we play, the batsmen have bigger responsibility in ODI and T20 formats to set up big targets and give that cushion to bowlers.
I was fortunate enough to interact with him when I played for RCB in IPL. I learnt from AB as to how he prepares for a game. I get amazed by the kind of strokes he hits and the time he has got to play those shots.
No matter how well I have taken care of my body, I have been injured a few times, which is very unfortunate and which is very disappointing. But each time, I have come back, I have come back stronger, and I have come back hungrier.
I am happy to playing against teams like South Africa and Australia early on in my career. It is going to make me stronger as a cricketer.
I have delivered sometimes, and the other times, I have not. I have taken it in my stride as a player and learnt from my mistakes.
Those first few overs are obviously the most difficult time because you don't know what the ball is going to do in the air and off the seam.
A good wrist spinner is a good wrist spinner against any opposition.
When you sit out, then you realize that, when you get the opportunity, how important it is to use that opportunity, not only as a player individually but also for the team.
After junior cricket, if the team wanted me to keep in a one-off/odd match or if anyone got injured, I was up for it. I kept in One-dayers and T20s.
My only sentiment is to win.
I am a sporty person who loves to go to the gym, train, play football.
200 for a batsman is a big landmark, and I have never been somebody who has chased landmarks, but getting a 200 will always be a proud moment for a batsman.
It is a very happy feeling that a legend like Rahul Dravid talks highly about me. But I can't just sit back and be happy about it. I have to back it up with my performances.
It took me a long time to realise that I need to stay true to my game.
For an opening batsman, it's important to hit a few balls in the middle of the bat and get a few boundaries going.
I'm not a person that sets a long-term goal. My goals are on an everyday basis.
Every player needs that one or two innings to get the confidence in whatever format to realise that he's good enough to be successful in whatever conditions or at whatever level.
I would like to improve my shot selection when it comes to playing short-pitched deliveries.
I don't really have routines or follow what my coaches tell me or how people want me to be: this stereotypical 'sleep on time and set good examples' person. I don't really know what setting a good example is.
Growing up, I played on matting wickets. I always enjoyed the pace and bounce and somewhere that has a big role or big effect on your game.
Earlier in the shorter format, I was not consistent, so I was not getting noticed. But I always believed that I had the game to do it. It was just about consistency.
With the new ball, against any bowler, it's important to see off the first few overs.
For me, aggression means not to be shy and to do what your mind tells you.
If I am playing a game, I want to give my best, and that's the only thing that helps me sleep peacefully at night.
I spent a lot of time with Rahul Dravid, working on my game and chatting about cricket. He helped me a lot in the games I played for India 'A.'
There are only a few times in a batsman's life when he gets really eager: when you want to get off the mark or when you are approaching 100 or 200.
I have to be patient, keep performing, and be consistent.
I totally enjoyed playing in Australia. I think they play very tough cricket, and the brand of cricket they play is very strong.
Everyone wants to perform.
I got some time off from international cricket so I could come back to India and reflect on what was not going right for me.
The more cricket you play in your head, the less you perform on the field. So let cricket, the sport, be on the field.
I have always enjoyed keeping. I used to keep earlier for my state and later didn't have much chance to keep. But I keep myself ready if ever anyone wants me to keep.
Fortunately, I got to play some India 'A' games, and some games where the pressure was a little less, so that I can focus on my skill and my technique.
