My job is to help Virat in the field. He is the captain, and whenever he looks up around, I should be around to complement him and help him as much as I could.
Comebacks are not at all easy. After a major surgery, the difficult part is to conquer the inner demons. It's all in the mind. Only an individual can overcome his fears.
No matter how talented you are or naturally gifted you are, there's no substitute to hard work if you got to maintain standards.
I am not someone like A. B. de Villiers, Gayle, or Dhoni. I don't have that much power. I have to use my brain to manipulate the field and stick to my strength, which is to hit through the lines.
You need to realise that you must have something to aim for, something to drive you.
I'm learning from my past mistakes and trying to correct them as I move forward. Experience at the international level has probably taught me what it takes to probably go out there and get a 100 or to build an innings or to win a game.
Once you get past 100, it is all about not making a mistake.
In the IPL, you are often single-handedly responsible for the fortunes of your team. It makes you more responsible as a player.
There are things we control - but things that are not in control, no point wasting time and energy into that.
To each his own, but my process of preparation is based on conditions, not opposition.
Of course I like to watch myself bat. After every innings, match, series, I do watch my own videos whenever I get the time.
I am happy with the way I hit the ball. There is a certain element of power into it but not completely. It is like 80 per cent timing and 20 per cent power. Why do I need power hitting when I can clear the ropes with timing?
You should not remain in your comfort zone; if you want to make it big, you must challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and succeed in doing well outside of your comfort areas.
Every first-class season is important; every game is crucial, irrespective of whether you are in the Indian team or not.
The only pressure I feel is how I can contribute to help my team win the match. Of course, there is always the pressure to score, but then doesn't it eventually help your team win? Frankly, I don't let these things affect me.
Every time you play for your country, there is responsibility. But when you are captaining, you can say so; you have to lead from the front and make sure the team follows the direction you want them to.
Success on the outside indeed begins with success on the inside.
No matter what you achieve, what you want to aspire to be, or how famous and powerful you become, the most important thing is whether you are excited about each and every moment of your life because of your work and the people around you.
I will continue doing things irrespective of the medium as long as I’m excited about it.