Even the thunderous master-blasters, like Andre Russell and MS Dhoni, men who now make scoring more than 20 runs per over look simple, often thrive on the right side of an incredibly slender gap between six and out. They are not more lucky than anyone else. They are more brilliant.
— AB de Villiers
Far from being a mere consequence of winning, strong team spirit is an essential ingredient of sporting success; it comes before, not afterwards.
I don't like to celebrate my own achievements.
There are so many dreams that I'd like to follow.
If you don't learn, especially if you are not playing well, then you are not going to move forward as a team.
We all grow up dreaming of playing international cricket.
Nothing comes close to the IPL, to be honest.
You represent your country - that's the biggest honour ever. I had the privilege of doing that for more than 14 years.
I think I have a natural hitting ability.
I often speak about tennis being one of the most important sports when I was growing up, for my hand-eye coordination and quick feet.
I've always kept it very simple. I'm a big believer that basics stay the same for all the formats.
I've always been a people pleaser.
I don't really like attention too much.
It's never been about my own runs. If I can score as many as possible to get us into a position to win, then I'll be a very happy man.
If you pick up that information, the first metre or two, the ball coming out of the hand, you can analyse what's coming.
Yes, I would have loved to win it, but I have great memories from World Cups. The 2007 tournament - my first - was very special.
I watch the ball, and I just play. I have always said that I don't feel there's a big difference between the three formats. It is just a mindset, applying yourself to the wicket and conditions, and that's always been the way that I have played.
An IPL match may be decided when the ball passes inches beyond the grasp of a fielder on the boundary or when a direct hit catches a batsman inches short of the crease.
I'm not a nice guy on the field, and I've never really respected a guy who's been a 'nice guy' on the field. I want opposition to be hard, to play to win the game for their team.
It's a huge honour to play my 100th Test, and I never in my life thought I'll be in this kind of position.
I have been massively proud to have played for and, indeed, captain my country on the cricket field.
In my heart, international cricket is the way forward. That's where you want to play; that's where the pressure really lies. That's where you make your name.
I truly love captaining. I've grown into enjoying it.
You've got to be able to work hard. There must be inner drive that you want to be the best in the world at what you do.
It's not really part of the game to say, 'Oh, it's a batter's game; it's a batter's game' - I don't know why it goes on. It's a beautiful game that's greatly competitive between bat and ball.
I know what makes me good, and it's not a bat.
I know Test cricket is more about endurance. T20 is more about innovating, creating, and the energy at the wicket.
Playing at the highest level alongside your friends, scoring runs for your country are things that I look back and go, 'Ah, I miss that a little bit,' but there's a lot I don't miss. I don't miss 90 per cent of it.
I've made peace with the fact that the World Cup will not define me. Yes, it would be nice to add that to what's been a very enjoyable career, but I know it won't define me as a person or cricketer.
I've always been shy.
It's tough at slip. The ball doesn't come to you very often. So from that perspective, I enjoy keeping more - you're in the game the whole time.
I truly believe that players who tell you they don't feel the pressure of international cricket, of being away from home for months at a time, are lying to everyone and themselves.
Test cricket is the ultimate challenge.
As a captain, I can't make the same mistake twice. As a player, you can get away with that, but if the captain does that, then it affects the whole team.
For my part, I am not a great believer in bad luck on the cricket field, in business - in fact, in any walk of life.
I'll do whatever it takes for us to win games of cricket. If I have to sledge, I'll get involved like that. I'll try and intimidate a player if I have to.
Obviously, international cricket is the main cricket you want to play, especially Test cricket.
I announced my retirement from international cricket in May 2018 because I wanted to reduce my workload and spend more time with my wife and young sons. Some have insisted I was motivated purely by money. They are wrong.
It's important to make sure your players have the mindset that playing international cricket is still the ultimate form of cricket.
In all kinds of sports, you have to get the confidence going within before you can start proving people wrong or right.
Every wicket you play on is different.
It's never easy to lose. But life is not all sunshine and roses.
I have played incredible knocks with the lightest of bats.
I don't overthink things.
The most important people to please are your family.
I know nothing will compare to that feeling of scoring hundreds in a big game.
I prefer to be out of the spotlight, to be honest. I've always been that kind of personality.
I do enjoy fielding.
It's always been the most important thing for me to enjoy my cricket.
My mindset in all three formats, in any situation, is exactly the same. I just want to get myself in, get myself a nice foundation to hopefully attack and dominate the bowlers.
