Athlete

I am not a person who will think about the past.

Govinda is my favourite actor - his comedy and dance is unique.

Each player wants to perform in every match he plays. Sometimes it happens; sometimes it doesn't. If I am not able to perform in a given match, I leave that behind.

When I came to Under-19, I played a lot of cricket and got a lot of experience. Then India A as well, and Ranji Trophy - it just keeps going on.

I made tons of runs and got an opportunity to play for Mumbai. Suddenly, people knew who I was, and the cameras were on me. Getting the recognition matters when you are playing school cricket.

My parents were very supportive.

Frankly, this is what you dream about - to get picked for the Test team. That's why you work hard and give it your best day in and day out.

Cricket came about for me when my dad started throwing plastic balls to me at home. I was four or five.

First six overs are important because if you put runs on board, it will take the pressure off the other batsmen.

When the time comes to play Irani Cup, if I get the chance, I will make sure I will do my best.

It is all about the kind of experience you garner over the years, which tends to make a difference in the way you play at the top level.

I am a person who likes to be in the present.

The biggest difference at the Ranji Trophy level is that of the pace you face. You don't get as many quick bowlers at the Under-19 level.

During the 2011 World Cup, I was sitting at the Wankhede Stadium when India won.

I don't want to think much about my injury in Australia. That phase is history.

Amit Mishra has got that experience. He has played 10-12 years of international cricket. Whenever he bowls those four overs, he knows exactly what his plans are. He has bowled to almost every player, and he knows where to bowl to them.

When you are not scoring runs for the last two-three games, then you need to get that form back; preparation is the best thing to do.

My height doesn't matter, as I want to keep playing my natural game.

I began playing at the age of six, but at that point, I had little idea of cricket; forget the talent part. It's around the age of 10-11, when more people around me began talking of my skills, that I felt maybe I could go on to do something.

I came back from the World Cup and then started playing for Mumbai again. My game was the same because even in New Zealand, we played the One-day format.