Cricketer

As an individual, you take Covid-19 situation aside, you would want your family to travel with you, but because of this situation, safety is important, safety of your wife, family and daughter, obviously safety of your teammates is really important.

I was the ball boy during the Mumbai Test of the home series against South Africa in 2000. I was playing Under-14 cricket.

I think it is more important to adjust mentally than technically. What happens at No 3 is that you have to be very careful with your shot selection than at No 5.

Consistency is the key to becoming a good cricketer.

I don't try and copy anyone in T20 cricket. My cricketing shots are inside out, behind the bowler, and other shots I have developed.

It always helps a team when the opener is able to bat till the 20th over. I am learning to do so.

I always look to giving my best whenever I get my opportunity, whether it's in the opening position or in the middle order.

I always believed in getting better and better in each and every format and give my best. As a batsman, it is important to keep learning every time and stay hungry for your runs. I don't get satisfied.

If the team management asks me to bat at a certain position, I am always ready for that.

When I played 2 months in county cricket, I learnt a lot.

You want to give your best and be the best batsman for the team. So, whenever I go in to bat, I always believe in giving the best. I take it as a challenge every time.

My physical preparation for a series starts at least 10, 15 days before it begins, but mentally around a month before I start visualising things as to which bowling attack I will be facing, the conditions I will encounter and other things.

County cricket has helped every player who has been part of it.

If I am playing 18 ball, I aim to see how I can get my strike rate to 150-160. After 6-14 overs, you need to break down, that if you play half balls, then how much runs you need to get on the board.

It's always important to respect your opponent.

I was practising with wet rubber balls just to get my reaction right, my hand-eye co-ordination right. Because sometimes wickets are softer, two-paced wickets, it helps to practise with a tennis ball.

Personally, everyone dreams to be part of World Cup squad. Mine was also the same.

For a batsman, the bat is your main weapon and you need to respect it. The more you respect it, the better it helps with your cricket.

As a child you dream of playing for your country, but when it really happens you do not know how to react.

I am really excited to play for Delhi Capitals. I got an opportunity.