Seeing off the new ball is important for me. I know that once I do that, the only way I could get out could be from my own mistake.

It pumps me up - the whole idea of the bowler marking his run-up, popping at the crease, the crowd chanting, nerves building up. It's a very good feeling. Right from the first ball, I know I have to be at the top of my game.

We have to win everything. The last time we went to South Africa, we had an opportunity to win the series, but things didn't work out.

There will be times in South Africa when we will be challenged as a team. We have to stand up to that.

We have a lot of freedom to express ourselves. When you see us playing on the field, I guess you can make that out. This batting unit, especially, is fearless. We want to go out there and achieve the best possible result.

In international cricket, the core group in most of the teams would remain same. So you know what's expected, but they will operate in different conditions, which is why the homework about conditions is the key.

I have to be prepared always and be at my best. I looked to bat 50 overs and score as many possible. It may not happen all the time, but whenever I see the opportunity, I try to make the most of it.

Every time you play for your country, there is responsibility. But when you are captaining, you can say so; you have to lead from the front and make sure the team follows the direction you want them to.

My job is to help Virat in the field. He is the captain, and whenever he looks up around, I should be around to complement him and help him as much as I could.

There are things we control - but things that are not in control, no point wasting time and energy into that.