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

Once you graduate from the Under-19 level, no one really gives you technical advice. It is all about making mental adjustments.

Once you graduate from the Under-19 level, no one really gives you technical advice. It is all about making mental adjustments.

To represent your country is the ultimate honour, and to play Test cricket for India will be the ultimate fulfilment of my cricketing ambition.

To represent your country is the ultimate honour, and to play Test cricket for India will be the ultimate fulfilment of my cricketing ambition.

Whenever you play international cricket, there is always a challenge.

Whenever you play international cricket, there is always a challenge.

Every cricketer dreams of coming into the Indian side.

Every cricketer dreams of coming into the Indian side.

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.

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.

I have been an aggressive batsman since my school days, and I play my game as such.

I have been an aggressive batsman since my school days, and I play my game as such.

I don't want to bring in negative vibes in my career.

I don't want to bring in negative vibes in my career.

As a captain, I just want to lead the team properly.

As a captain, I just want to lead the team properly.

Tendulkar is my idol in cricket, and one thing I try to pick up from him is how he carries himself in a humble manner.

Tendulkar is my idol in cricket, and one thing I try to pick up from him is how he carries himself in a humble manner.

School cricket is where we all start. The journey of a cricketer starts from there, and it was the same for me.

School cricket is where we all start. The journey of a cricketer starts from there, and it was the same for me.

Whatever games came my way, I tried to give my best, do whatever I could to win matches for the team, be it at the Ranji Trophy level, India A, IPL: this was always on my mind.

Whatever games came my way, I tried to give my best, do whatever I could to win matches for the team, be it at the Ranji Trophy level, India A, IPL: this was always on my mind.

I am very happy and proud - I played a lot of school cricket and scored heavily there, and then the Ranji Trophy, but when we represent India, it's a different feeling.