Cricketer

I realise that I need to be selfish at times as well as smart in decision-making and just not throw away my wicket.

It was a dream to play the World Cup and I will play for sure in the future.

I introspect on how I am perceived by other people. It's been this way since my childhood.

You always tend to learn whenever you fail. Even when you do good, you tend to learn a lot.

I do not play for money. I want to play the game to the best of my ability. If I do that everything will follow.

The last three-fours years which I have been playing domestic cricket and international, I learnt a lot. I wouldn't say it has been great or fantastic, but it has been a roller-coaster journey.

Yes there was a lot of buzz about me before the World Cup selection because I was consistent and aware about the hardwork and smart work that I had put in. It will definitely reap benefits and help me in future when I play for India.

I know what my strengths are, and I have worked really hard on my weaknesses as well.

I remember when I was a kid, I would visualise wearing the India colours and walking on the field in front of an amazing atmosphere, and I feel it has helped me a lot throughout my career.

When you go out to play in different conditions against different bowlers, it is always challenging.

I was lucky that I got to open for Delhi Daredevils. I got more deliveries to face.

I just used to back my instincts and go with the flow. Lately, I've realised that once you play at the highest level you've got to take that maturity to another stage.

The A tour has always given me an opportunity to prove myself in the higher league as this is the stepping stone.

'A' tours can be considered as a stepping stone to getting into the national team, so they are really important.

After I failed in my first two games, I did not expect to be picked. But on the eve of our match against Uttar Pradesh in Kanpur, Pravin Amre sir came to my room and gave me the confidence that I was playing.

I know I have a lot of potential to score big runs. So, yeah, I am trying to take it game by game and see that I make it big.

I have led a few teams prior to the IPL, led in Mumbai T20 as well as DY Patil T20 tournament.

But the atmosphere of being part of the Indian team is totally different from any other team. People start looking at you in a different way. But the senior players and support staff really helped me in ease into the team.

It's better to enjoy life - selection is a temporary thing.

If you are really a good talent, then you need a certain amount of chances to prove yourself and get acclimatised to the conditions.