I've always maintained - a captain is only as good as his team. It is not about my leadership, it is not about me.
One needs to be clear headed. I believe in all-round fitness.
Kolkata Knight Riders is not about me. It is about the team.
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.
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.
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.
Any opportunity you get to play for your country and wear that blue cap is an honour.
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.
I want to do whatever will make my team win.
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 play for India, I play for the 100 million people of my country.
Youngsters getting hooked to IPL is a dangerous sign for Indian cricket.
I am a great believer that a captain is as good as his team.
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.
I believe in backing players and helping them out with their game.
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.
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.
