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.

My mood depends on how I treat my toothbrushes. Being a skipper is a strenuous job, and when you are going through a rough phase, obviously you start taking out your frustration. You can't take it out on anyone: you can't take it out on your teammates or your wife. The only person that is left is your toothbrush.

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.

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.

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.

Sometimes in a team game, the entire spotlight is on one man.

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.

Most of my diet is low on carbohydrates and fats.

I think Delhiites know how to party, but Kolkata has people who know how to celebrate. I think that's the main difference.

Any opportunity you get to play for your country and wear that blue cap is an honour.

I am happy to lose spots on the IPL Fairplay award list, but I cannot see my team slipping on the points table.

I want to do whatever will make my team win.

Playing on a low surface is always difficult for anyone to play their strokes. You need to be more of a grafter.

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.

Youngsters getting hooked to IPL is a dangerous sign for Indian cricket.

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.

When I got dropped for the World Cup, there were times I didn't want to play anymore. I didn't want to practise. I couldn't motivate myself. Then I said, 'Look what are the options?' Cricket is the only option. Whether I play happily or sadly, it's still all I have. There are not a lot of things I am good at.

I play for India, I play for the 100 million people of my country.

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.

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.

Our flag is our identity, and we can't disrespect or let anyone else disrespect our identity.

I think that a leader is someone that needs to make an impact on, off the cricket field and in their lives as well.

Sometimes it's important to get out of that comfort zone and, I think, try new things, and sometimes you can express yourself better.

Kolkata Knight Riders is not about me. It is about the team.