SOURAV GANGULY

When you play cricket for India, you are always under the scanner. You are always judged by others; you have to live up to it all.

I was a firm believer that every cricketer needs to get a fair chance.

I didn't have a good time with Lancashire in 2000. Probably I'd played too much cricket and should have taken a rest, but I went there when the offer came because I had always had an ambition to play the county game in England. And I was a bit jaded. And I didn't do myself justice. I want to put that right before I finish my career.

I made it pretty clear that if I'm captain, the best team has to play.

When I first became captain of the Indian cricket team in 2000, many well-wishers and journalist friends gifted me the classic Mike Brearley book, 'The Art of Captaincy.' I mean no disrespect to the book or Mr, Brearley, who I admire a great deal, but books or team meetings don't make you good captains.

I love playing England. The teas at Lord's are good quality.

England has some very good cricketers. And don't rule West Indies out. They have some explosive players.

Twenty20 is must for cricket. Without T20, cricket cannot survive.

Absolutely, I used to run very fast between the wickets.

Sometimes as a player you do not want to get into a controversy.

No matter what, Test cricket will survive. I've always said Twenty20 would be popular but there will be a place for Test cricket.

You have just got to live life and let others live.

IPL is pure sport. The glitz and glamour is just 15 per cent. 85% is actually professional, hard cricket.

I used to watch Manchester United a lot when David Beckham was there, but not any more now he's gone.

I played my first World Cup game against South Africa where I scored 97 runs before being run-out by Jonty Rhodes.

When I was captain, John Wright was making all the decisions and I followed like an obedient student.

I was inspired by the way the Aussies played their cricket. It was no-holds barred. They played to win.

Health starts in the head and goes to the heart and other parts of the body.

I live in the present and do not look that far ahead.

In your journey to the tag of winning-at-all-costs you can still behave, you can still do the right things by not crossing the line. Lot of champions have done it. Look at Rahul Dravid, Steve Waugh.

For me life is simple and consistent.

Kohli is a huge addition to the side not just because of his batting but with his attitude as well. He lifts everyone on the field. There is so much passion in his cricket.

The battle to win - on the pitch and in the boardroom - begins and ends in one's head.

My captaincy model was characterised by two distinctive pillars. Proper identification of talent and then ensuring the young finds play fearless cricket.

Pakistan always play well in England.