Any active sportsman has to be very focused; you've got to be in the right frame of mind. If your energy is diverted in various directions, you do not achieve the results. I need to know when to switch on and switch off: and the rest of the things happen around that. Cricket is in the foreground, the rest is in the background.

I feel when somebody has been playing cricket for a long time, he creates a separate identity for himself.

I never played with a runner in my entire life, even in schools, because only I know where the ball is going and how hard, when I hit the ball, something my runner will never know about.

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.

Sometimes I need to look at the scoreboard to figure out whether I'm batting hundred-plus or whether I am on zero.

I have never believed in comparisons, whether they are about different eras, players or coaches.

Chase your dreams .... but make sure you don't find shortcuts.