Are you surprised with your own form, the way you are scoring runs?

Not at all. I have worked really hard for this. I have been playing domestic cricket continuously; for the last 3-4 years, I have been playing in the IPL also. It makes a lot of difference. I have gained a lot of experience, which I am trying to use in my game. I have been training with Zubin (Bharucha) sir; we discuss a lot of stuff about my game. And when I meet senior players, I talk to them a lot. That gives me confidence and motivation.

You scored a brilliant hundred against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. You have scored many hundreds but was that more special than others because you played most of your cricket in Mumbai?
It was one of the best moments of my life. I used to stay in Azad Maidan, which is not very far from the Wankhede Stadium, and from there I could see the stadium lights and even hear the roars. So, when I scored that hundred, it reminded me of those days. It was an emotional moment for me.

In that innings, you scored more than half of Rajasthan Royals’ runs and hit eight sixes, including three against Jofra Archer. How content are you after the hundred?
I feel I have a lot more responsibilities now. I have to further improve my game. I have prepared a good platform for myself. I have to grab this opportunity with both hands. I have to try harder and achieve more in the future.

What was your pre-season training like?
There is a Rajasthan Royals academy in Nagpur. I go there to train with Zubin sir. We do different kinds of training for different scenarios and for different kinds of pitches. Sometimes we play on red soil, sometimes we play on black soil. Sometimes it’s against left-arm fast bowler, sometimes it’s against right-arm fast bowler, left-arm spinner, chinaman, and those who bowl with side-arm. So we try to create as many different scenarios as possible so that when I come across a similar scenario during the match, my mind should be able to work out the solutions.

Also, the way I get out in a match, I discuss it with the senior players like Sanju (Samson) bhai, Sanga sir (Kumar Sangakkara) and, if you have observed the last few matches, I was talking to MS (Dhoni) sir, Virat (Kohli) bhaiya, Rohit (Sharma) bhaiya. All these things are regularly happening. I try to pick things for myself and put them in my game. How I do that is on me but all these things are helping me in improving my game.

Have you made any technical changes in your batting?
Nothing major. I am just training well. I have worked a lot on my fitness, I focus on recovery, sleep and nutrition. All things are important at the same time. I am working on all aspects of my game. I have set up a good life, good routine outside the cricket field. These things are helping me, I guess. And If I am disciplined outside the cricket field, I am definitely going to be disciplined inside it.

You have been with the Rajasthan Royals for the last 3-4 years. How has this exposure helped your game?
I think the biggest thing that Rajasthan Royals has given me is financial stability. This stability has helped me relax and focus completely on my cricket training. They have helped me not just with cricket but also with the investments and future planning so that I don’t face any problems in the future. It’s a really big aspect of life. It has helped me put all my efforts into cricket. It shouldn’t be the case that once you stop playing cricket, your life becomes a struggle. Financial security is very important for your mental stability.

You are hitting some big sixes this season. Did you also work on your power game?
Yea, I have done a lot of strength training. I think first it is mental and then all other things. If you want to make something, first you need to visualize it and believe that you can do it. Then you need to know what it takes to do that. That’s where all these things like strength training and other aspects come into play. That’s what Zubin sir and I have done in last three-four years. We have worked really hard together and that’s the reason I wasn’t very excited when I reached the hundred. I was calm and controlled. I was just celebrating that moment and wishing many more such moments in the future.

What brief have you got about your role as an opener?
I am asked to play my normal game and keep expressing myself. Whatever the situation, I have to take the brave options and stay positive all the time. And I am like that, I play without any fear. What my team needs is the most important thing for me.

You wear Morrant pads. Sachin Tendulkar used to wear those. Now we see MS Dhoni using them. Very few have worn them. Why do you wear them?
I like these pads. They feel very comfortable. There is no particular reason for choosing them over others. It’s all about feel. When I first wore them, I felt very good. So, I continued with them.

There is a lot of talk about your India call-up after this IPL. How do you feel about it?
I feel I just need to focus on my training, matches and the things that I have been doing. And whatever has to happen will happen. I just have to keep doing my job, rest will take care of itself. I want it to happen, but I know that I need to be patient.

Whenever you score runs, the story about your early-life struggles trends in the media. After so many years and so much success, how do you feel when you hear about those stories again and again?
I always feel good about it. I have lived that story and it gives me confidence to keep fighting for the things I want to achieve. It doesn’t matter what happens, I have to keep fighting. If it happens, I will be happy. If it doesn’t happen, it’s okay, I will try again. This fighting spirit came from there only. I thank god and cricket for the good life at the moment. I am really grateful for it. [But] This is just the beginning and I need to keep that in mind. Whatever I have done in the past, that’s really precious for me. I am glad that I had that journey which I can always remember. Whenever I am not able to think properly, remembering my journey has given me a lot of confidence. There was a dream that started this journey. Whenever I am down, I think about the journey I have had and that motivates me.

How are your parents dealing with your success?
A few days back, my parents and siblings all came to watch my match against Lucknow Super Giants. It was an amazing moment because they were watching me play live for the first time with so much crowd in the stadium. When the first ball hit me on the pad, I was like, ‘god, please save me’. (laughs). I wanted to bat well in front of them. It’s a blessing that I could invite them to the stadium and entertain them with my cricket.

They have also shifted to Mumbai, it’s been a year now, and are living with me. Rather, I live with them now!

It was always my wish to have a house in Mumbai. I have lived at many people’s houses, moved around a lot to have a roof over my head. When I finally got a house, I felt like I had achieved something. It’s difficult to explain these emotions. I had my entire family together at one place. It was the most precious moment of my life. It was not about money or expensive things. That moment was just too precious.

When I got the house, we had a (house-warming ceremony). It was the best moment of my life to see my parents doing puja. My mother started crying. It was really emotional for us. I was so happy to be able to do that for them.