Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
It used to hurt me that people thought I didn't have the technique and the temperament to play Test cricket.
I have never played cricket for selfish reasons like scoring 800-900 runs on flat tracks to make a comeback.
The face of the team are the people who're playing on the cricket field. The team is not about one individual.
Sportsmen do not need Bollywood or film industry; they do not need publicity: it could be the other way round.
I am happy to lose spots on the IPL Fairplay award list, but I cannot see my team slipping on the points table.
Playing on a low surface is always difficult for anyone to play their strokes. You need to be more of a grafter.
When you go out on the field, you don't go out to make friends... I play to win the game and not just to compete.
I've always maintained - a captain is only as good as his team. It is not about my leadership, it is not about me.
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.
I think that a leader is someone that needs to make an impact on, off the cricket field and in their lives as well.
I think Delhiites know how to party, but Kolkata has people who know how to celebrate. I think that's the main difference.
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.
I have been brought up watching the 'Rocky' series and 'First Blood' series. I am obviously a big fan of Sylvester Stallone.
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.
I think only a batsman will be able to tell you about the goose bumps he gets after hitting a perfect cover drive. I'm one of them.
Sometimes it's important to get out of that comfort zone and, I think, try new things, and sometimes you can express yourself better.
Some individuals relish the fact that they are not drawing attention and can quietly go about their game while others want to show off.
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.
I have always loved the big stage and would often tell my friends while growing up that I'd want to help India win the World Cup one day.
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.
Being an impatient guy, even off the field, I would always look to score runs and score them quickly. Sometimes I panic if runs are not coming.
I think you need to be a leader, not a captain. You may have seen a lot of captains in this country, but the most important thing is to be a leader.
Whatever good or bad is said by former cricketers is considered gospel. Our media should not blow out of proportion the opinion of former cricketers.
When I go on to the field, it is also like my office. I have to give my 100 per cent, and I have to be really committed to it. It's all about winning.
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.
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.
People who are talking about banning IPL, they should think about many other things that are troubling the country. People who want to look after IPL will do.
People are quick to form opinions online, but they're also quick to change them. If you have an opinion, stand by it and see it through. I stand by what I put up.
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.
I can bat in the morning, afternoon, evening, night, on ice, desert, wherever and whenever. It is almost nirvana for me. It takes me away from the stresses of life.
Call me whatever you want; I'll always speak for the Army. Without understanding the extreme conditions they're in, you can't question the extreme action they take.
To me, form is not about scoring runs but how you feel about your game. Sometimes the runs are not there, but you know you are batting well, and that is good form for me.
When I am captaining a side, the way I play would be the way my team plays as well. If I will be joking around all the time, I wouldn't expect people to take me seriously.
I think the only time I show my emotions and anger is on the cricket field; otherwise, I've mellowed down. And with age, I think, with age you always end up mellowing down.
I've always wanted to do something for the defence forces - I've always said that the Army always has been my first love. It's about what they do selflessly for the country.
I am very insecure because that's how I have played cricket. Since Under-14, I was told, 'If you don't perform, you will be dropped.' I have started living with this system.
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.
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.
Ravi Shastri has been claiming that Indian team was very successful under him, but he never told us that India lost ODI series to Bangladesh, lost ODI series to South Africa at home.
When you come out of your comfort zone, you can express yourself in front of the whole world, and there was no better stage to express yourself as a batsman and as a leader than IPL.
I have been a part of the teams which had the original great man - Sachin Tendulkar. I remember in 2007-08 tour of Australia, Sachin paaji would get all the attention from the locals.
Yes, I'm the same grumpy Gautam who smiles very less on the field. I go very quiet before going into the match. I guess it works for me, though my team-mates keep telling me it is just a game.
You need different skills to do well in 50-overs cricket. You need completely different skills to do well in Test cricket. You need different skills to do well in T20 cricket. It is not the same.
When I'm playing a team sport, it's not about one individual, it's about everyone, from me to the other 23 people who were there, to all the support staff who've worked very hard behind the scenes.
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.
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.
Ask any batsman what gives him maximum satisfaction. It's scoring runs, whether it's Ranji Trophy or any form of the game. When you get back to your room, knowing that you have scored a hundred, it gives you satisfaction.
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 grew up playing on unprepared surfaces where your wicket depended on quickly adapting to the bounce. As a kid, I could never differentiate off-spin from leg-spin. All I looked to do was to try to hit the ball before it pitched.
T20 runs should only be a criteria to get selected for a T20 side. The moment you start picking players in the one-day format by their T20 performance, then you are giving your domestic 50-over competitions absolutely no relevance.