Vijay Shankar Quotes

When you get offered the captaincy, you've got to have a go. In India, where it went well, I was playing well, and anything that needed doing, I'd do it myself. When I wasn't playing well, it was tough.

I am a middle-order batsman. Delivering a 100-crore hit each time is the job of the opening batsman. I will come, do my job to the best of my abilities and leave the rest to my audience.

To win games, we need to be focused for 95 minutes. If not, you always pay in football.

When they come here, what we are looking for them to do is step up to the plate, take responsibility and get the big innings, the centuries - or take a lead with the ball.

There is a great responsibility on the team to perform well, because our supporters and the whole of the country are expecting us to do just that.

Sometimes I just get over-excited. I see the pitch and I think, 'I have to get this wicket.' When I am just looking to bowl, I am calm and composed, and most of the time I get it right. The ball lands where I want it to.

Everyone loves a win in India. No one wants to lose a match. It is the cricketer who absorbs all the pressure.

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.

Finishing is one of the most difficult things to do in cricket. A player can't be a finisher in just 6 months or one year. You have to be used to that responsibility, keeping on doing what is required from you over a period of time.

It's true there are a lot of frustrations, but it's down to me to try to put them to the side and concentrate on what's essential to me, my game and also to adapt to the opponent.

I've always been a bit shy, especially in new situations. But I have that other side in me too. Cricket demands that you grow up fast. Playing in domestic tournaments as an overseas player, you're expected to score runs and bring a lot to the group. And I expect that of myself.

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.

As a player, you have to focus on the match and not too much on the surroundings.

I've just got to go in there and get some quality at-bats and do my job and help the team win any way I can.

I am happy that I am getting a chance to play for Hampshire, because wherever I play, at the end of the day, I am recognized as a Pakistani, and if I do well, it is Pakistan cricket that gets a good name.

I think a pitcher in baseball is the most relatable position to a specialist in football, because you get a limited opportunity to prove your worth to the team.

The better you can prepare your players and the more you can put their minds to it is really important.

I watch the ball, and I just play. I have always said that I don't feel there's a big difference between the three formats. It is just a mindset, applying yourself to the wicket and conditions, and that's always been the way that I have played.

My individual role is to take the innings as deep as I can and perform in a way that benefits the team most.

Whenever you play international cricket, there is always a challenge.

As players, we have to concentrate with what happens on the pitch, not off it.

When I get on the pitch I have to make sure I am getting hundreds and taking six-fors.

I've always said it's just a game of cricket. The only pressure I get is when I feel I've let the team down.

After you have won a game, you can maybe smile for a minute and then you have to think: 'How can I recover as quickly as possible.'

Every innings is important.