At least with me, the match starts much, much earlier than the actual match.

Every individual has his own style, his own way of presenting himself on and off the field.

I always had a dream to play for India but I never let it put pressure on me.

I find it difficult to sleep even after all these years because my mind is constantly working and that is the way I have always prepared.

I have never believed in comparisons, whether they are about different eras, players or coaches.

I have never thought where I will go, or forced any targets on myself.

I never played with a runner in my entire life, even in schools, because only I know where the ball is going and how hard, when I hit the ball, something my runner will never know about.

The moment there is contact, your sub conscious mind knows whether it's a single or more. It's that fraction of contact that matters.

When there is time to think about cricket, I think but when there is time to be with family, I try to do justice to that aspect of my life as well.

I was the only one supporting John McEnroe — everyone used to call me ‘Mac’ because I styled myself on him. I made my father buy me the same headbands and sweatbands and even grew my hair long. You wouldn’t believe the pictures of me from that time. I was also extremely naughty. Very, very difficult to handle. …I had a nanny who used to run after me virtually 24 hours a day, because I never wanted to go home.