Your career has spanned three generations of Indian cricketers, maybe two. If you look at some of the other great batsmen who played in your team, Dravid, Sehwag, Laxman, Ganguly, tell me one stroke that you would pick from each one.

Sehwag cut, Ganguly coverdrive, and Rahul’s defence. I think Rahul’s defence is solid, Sehwag has probably the best cut that you can get, and Ganguly’s coverdrive, I think it’s…

And Laxman?

His off-the-hip flick. I think Laxman’s got tremendous wrists. I think he is a wristy player.

The other thing is about captaincy. What’s fascinating is how you so easily slipped out of it, as if in your mind, the challenge of managing Sachin was good enough … no need to manage Sachin plus 10.

(Laughs) I was quite comfortable doing that. I just felt I was too demanding on myself at times. I was not willing to spare myself at any stage. I wanted to win each and every game. And I wanted positive results in each and every game. Which is not possible, because you are bound to lose some games because the opposition...have also made plans. But I thought I was not sparing myself at all. At times, you need to give yourself a little room, just sit back and look at it differently. It was a little tough.

What drives you? Is it the flag, or is it sheer competitiveness?

... contd.