Dinesh Karthik

The more you back yourself, the more consistent you become in finishing the game. ”

If you are a good player and if you are good enough to be at that level, you should back yourself to show that you can perform in all situations. ”

My strength is my flexibility. As a batsman, I have to adapt to different roles and numbers and frankly, I have been around for a long time now to understand different situations. ”

The way I am, I don't just look at, say, the shots being played but I observe the cricketers. I try and pick up little things from different individuals. ”

I work out only with my trainer. And I make sure to do a lot of power training. For me, fitness is more about being on the ground rather than being in a gym. ”

As an international cricketer, you have to keep reinventing the wheel, being consistent is part of it. ”

For me, mental toughness is the ability to stay focussed in the present irrespective of what is happening at the match. ”

Sometimes you are so busy you forget to appreciate what you have. ”

After all, I'm nobody to tell the U-19s how they should lead their lives. My job is to give them the belief, it's better than just advice. We love guys who go through their journey themselves. ”

It is important that whenever you do get opportunities to practice, just get in some batting and be in a place where you feel if you get a chance to play, you can do well. It's important to be in that zone and be as practically ready as possible. ”