My only sentiment is to win.

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.

I am a sporty person who loves to go to the gym, train, play football.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You need to be mentally and physically very strong to go and perform in Australia.

You know when you go to Australia you will get sledged. That's the fun of the game.

T20 may be fast, but still, you never plan for a T20 - the same way you don't plan for the other formats.

Every player goes through rough patches.

If you are hitting the ball well, your form, your technique looks good, and when you are not, everything about your game looks bad. That is how it goes.

Every innings is important.

I've been successful when I have kept things simple - playing cricketing shots that I'm blessed with or I am good at playing.

If you are batting first as an opener, you give yourselves a couple of overs, see what's the wicket behaving, and then try to assess what a good score on that wicket would be, and then you plan accordingly.

As players, we look to prepare, and if opportunity comes by, we want to do well, both for ourselves and for team.

Working my way through different formats has not changed my batting approach much.

I would be proud if I can score as many runs as Rahul Dravid by the time I retire and serve the country as long as he did.

That's where I would love to bat, and I have always batted at the top of the order. Numbers one and two are what I am most comfortable in.

A good wrist spinner is a good wrist spinner against any opposition.

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.

Playing Australia, of course, is always challenging.

Teams expect a lot from an opening batsman. It is a lot of responsibility.

I have always enjoyed keeping wickets, as it is something that comes very naturally to me.

About wicket-keeping, I have enjoyed whatever little bit I could do and contribute for RCB.

If you are feeling light, and you are not feeling tired in your body, you can obviously concentrate more.