I want to do whatever will make my team win.
— Gautam Gambhir
I never thought of starting a cricket academy because every second person is starting a cricket academy.
India should not have any ties with Pakistan, be it Bollywood or cricket. I am shocked that Bollywood is saying that cricket and movies should be kept ahead of national sentiments.
If there is hockey or football and cricket on my television, I prefer to watch hockey.
Ultimately, the one who scores the winning run is a finisher, irrespective of whether he's an opening batsman or No 11. What matters is how much you are contributing. If you can win matches for your team, you are a finisher.
I've played my whole life for Delhi; I know what is good or bad for Delhi cricket.
As a leader, you want your team to play as you are.
There are not enough turning pitches in India, which is why we are not getting good spinners.
One needs to be clear headed. I believe in all-round fitness.
I genuinely do not even see the stats. It is just about the ability of the individual; what he brings to the table is all that matters.
Yes, it is always good to contribute, but the most important thing is where we finish on the points table. That is more important to me than how many runs I score.
If you ask me, a batsman has very few opportunities as compared to a bowler. A bowler knows, if he gets hit for a six or a boundary, he has another delivery left to get back and take a wicket. For a batsman, one loose shot, and you are out. A bowler will always have 24 opportunities.
When you feel comfortable about your game, you are in a happy space, feel at peace with yourself.
For most part of my stint as KKR leader, I have always been one of the boys: easy-going, relaxed, and a bit of a prankster.
When I play for Delhi in Ranji Trophy, I try to help Delhi win, and when I play IPL for KKR, I aim to make KKR win.
Things happen on the field. It has happened between me and other players, but we always left it out there.
Obviously, you want to get big runs. But then, as a captain, you want to play on result-oriented wickets.
The day I feel like I can't contribute to the team's success, that's the day I am going to call it quits.
There should be no cricket and Bollywood ties with Pakistan till Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism.
Sport doesn't work on knee-jerk reactions.
I am very passionate about Indian hockey.
I love discussing my game with people who have similar mindsets.
I am talking as an Indian and not as as a cricketer. I believe we should not have any ties or relationship with Pakistan. For me, it is very important to protect our people.
When you are playing against an opposition, you want to go out there and win a game, and for that, you have to be aggressive.
Youngsters getting hooked to IPL is a dangerous sign for Indian cricket.
I do not usually follow a rigid fitness regimen, and most of it depends upon what goals I have in my mind.
Playing on a low surface is always difficult for anyone to play their strokes. You need to be more of a grafter.
For me, it's fine to be aggressive and play hard. As long as you're not getting personal, it's fine, and you can do whatever you can to upset the opposition.
A bowler will always say it's a batsman's game.
Tests are special, the format closest to my heart.
I always believe in giving a lot of security to players. When you pick someone, you pick someone with a lot of trust and stick with that someone.
My primary job is to score runs and make KKR win, and that's what I am trying to do. Rest, I don't think too much. That's how I have always played my game.
What happens on the field should stay on the field.
I am an intense person on the field. I always want to win, as it matters to me a lot. That's why I never like to lose the focus or intensity.
I may try and get into education. I may open a school, and that is my ultimate dream. Opening a school will give education to children, who are the future of our country. If we can educate them in a proper way, I think that will change the future of the country.
National interest is above anything else. Just because you sit in an air-conditioned room, you can say you shouldn't relate cricket and movies to politics. Ask anyone who has lost a family member to terror attacks, and you will get your answer.
I'm aggressive on the field and a team-man to the core.
I love watching movies. I am a big movie buff.
Ultimately, DDCA is there to promote Delhi cricket. They are not there to promote themselves or set agendas. The primary job of DDCA is to look after cricket, see where Delhi cricket is going at all levels.
Life of people of this country is far more important than any sports or any other thing.
IPL is good for limelight and making money.
Most of my diet is low on carbohydrates and fats.
Every day, I get up to hit the gym; the schedule is such that it gives me the requisite energy to last the entire day. I stress on cardiovascular exercises, and the workout is programmed with my sporting schedule. Most of the fitness schedule is based on what I require for my upcoming matches.
Strike rates depend on the surfaces you play on.
Sledging makes things interesting. There are no robots playing. They are humans who want to perform well for the country. So when stakes are so high, emotions will take over. Sometimes sledging gets the best out of you.
I am a very strong believer in one thing. The more physically fit you are, the more mentally fit you get.
Any opportunity you get to play for your country and wear that blue cap is an honour.
Sometime you need to give credit to the opposition.
I am happy to lose spots on the IPL Fairplay award list, but I cannot see my team slipping on the points table.
You don't want to end up with a huge tally of runs after eight games but with your team out of contention.
