For an opening batsman, it's important to hit a few balls in the middle of the bat and get a few boundaries going.

It took me a long time to realise that I need to stay true to my game.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wherever we play, the batsmen have bigger responsibility in ODI and T20 formats to set up big targets and give that cushion to bowlers.

Where I play is not for me to decide.

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

When I came into Test cricket, I was good but not as good as I am now.

Everybody has different ways of playing the game.

My only sentiment is to win.

When you get a chance to play, if you help them win a game, then the team will start believing that the player can also do this for the team. So building that confidence for yourself and the team is very important.

I have always felt that there is no substitute of experience.

After junior cricket, if the team wanted me to keep in a one-off/odd match or if anyone got injured, I was up for it. I kept in One-dayers and T20s.

Batting with Dhoni is always a dream for me.

You need to be ready to bat, whatever you are given; you have to take what is thrown at you.

Both my parents are teachers, and while they were always cool with what I did, they never let me take my education lightly.

Quite honestly, cricket is same at all levels. It's a game of bat and ball.

When you sit out, then you realize that, when you get the opportunity, how important it is to use that opportunity, not only as a player individually but also for the team.

I don't know whether I am mentally tough or not, but one thing I know is that I like the game and spend as much time as possible on it.

I have delivered sometimes, and the other times, I have not. I have taken it in my stride as a player and learnt from my mistakes.

Everybody enjoys each other's success. We are always pushing each other to get better on the field and off the field, helping each other out in the nets or in the gym. That's the most important thing.