You make people happy. I’m sure you even make batsmen whose wickets you get happy sometimes.

That’s good. Playing cricket is the most important thing in my life and that’s what I’m doing. And being a lovable character, that’s an even better thing.

You do radiate joy. Is that something you’ve had since your childhood?

I’m like that since childhood. I’m a bit naughty. When I was very young, my brother and I, we were always up to lots of mischief. It’s the way I’ve been brought up.

You play tricks on batsmen as well. The ball looks like it’s coming in but then moves away.

Even I don’t know how that happens sometimes. but I try (laughs).

You remember Gilchrist in Sydney, when you took his wicket? It looked like it was swinging away but the ball nipped in and he was bowled. That was a high point for all of us.

Yeah, it felt really good. That was my second Test match on the Australian tour. For me it was a big thing just to be playing in Australia. The ball was reverse swinging really well. Sachin was giving me advice, saying ‘bowl around the wicket, don’t give him too much room’. I told him I wanted to try bowling over the wicket. So he said ‘OK. Go ahead’. It was the last ball, and I tried really hard and the ball landed in exactly the right place and I got the wicket.

Tell me about Baroda, where you grew up. Your father says that you used to help clean the place every day, and that it is this dedication that has brought you success today.

... contd.