India's run machine Gautam Gambhir spoke to SportsCenter’s Dinesh Chopra in an exclusive chat.

Q: The IPL has just started, how is your team bracing up for the challenge?

A: Well, the first game is out of the way and it was extremely satisfying that we came out on top though I must admit that I was extremely nervous going into this game. Even after when myself and (Dinesh) Karthik were batting and we were coasting along there was something inside me that was not giving very good vibes. So, I am more relieved and happy that the first game is over and we won it.

Q: But why were you nervous?

A: I don't know, may be because everyone says that we should do well. Weird, isn't it?

Q: Yes, it is weird. But having said that is there a concern within the group that the team hasn't gone beyond the semi-finals so far?

A: Well, as a professional you do not need anyone else to say that you are not going beyond the semi-final stage. The entire squad is mindful of that but it has been just two tournaments and last time Adam Gilchrist just took the game away from us with some outstanding batting. Overall, if you look at it, it is not a bad record to make it to semi-finals of a tournament twice in a row.

Q: The fact that you started at Mohali must have knocked off complacencies, if any?

A: I think playing in Mohali was advantageous to us but for a different reason. The fast wicket there helped our stroke players and the fast bowlers, especially Dirk Nannes who could hit the straps straight away.

Q: You talk about pitches but at times it seems that the surface is of no consequence in this format.

A: Oh no. On the contrary they matter a lot. Look at it this way, just because it is a shorter format people tend to go slam-bang thinking they need a big score. But if you know the conditions by that I mean if you have read the pitch well then you know that it is not about getting 170-180 runs but just enough according to the conditions.

A classic example of this was when we played in the Airtel Champions League last year. While playing in Delhi people thought that they should score 160-170 but as it turned out the score of 120-130 was enough on that pitch. So, I really believe that you need to assess the pitch and the conditions really well to chalk out your plans.

Q: That leads me to another thing that I am really curious to know. You have David Warner, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Virender Sehwag and yourself. People would want to know who will open the innings on a consistent basis?

A: Well that's something that really doesn't bother me because the guys are pretty flexible about that. Myself, Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan have all batted at number three in the past and can do the same again. None of us are stuck up with the opening slot and we will keep it flexible depending upon opposition, conditions and match situation.

Q: I am sure people are looking forward to see Warner bat with you or Sehwag at some stage. Moving on you had someone like a Yuvraj Singh in the opposition. What do you make of him?

A: He may have got out cheaply in the first fame but he is the most destructive batsman in the world in this format, without a doubt. I mean Yuvraj can change the game in a matter of an over. He showed that on more than one occasion during the T20 World Cup in 2007 whether it was the game against England or Australia, he changed the game in no time. So, he is the man to watch out for.

Q: If you had a chance what would you like to take from his batting?

A: The ability to hit 6 sixes, I wish I had that.

Q: Won't you want to take his acting skills? His style?

A: (laughs) He is a rock star, a great guy. I think if anyone who should be looking at Bollywood after cricket, it is him. I'd want to take some tips from him but then Yuvi doesn't share certain things, does he (Laughs)?

Q: Lots of mutual respect there, I believe Yuvraj calls you with a certain name. What is that?

A: No, I won't share that. It is too big a name for me.

Q: I have a vague idea. I think he has compared your recent run-scoring with a legend...... Sir Don Bradman?

A: It feels good when you earn respect of your colleagues. Honestly speaking when you get their respect and affection then it really doesn't matter what others say about your game. Isn't that what you play for? I mean all this adulation coming from the ones who know the game and pressure associated with it, it does feel special. But this name Sir Don Bradman is too big for me, I don't think I deserve it.

Q: Another former Australian captain, Richie Benaud once said: "Captaincy is about 90% luck and 10% skill". Do you agree?

A: As a captain, you can't really survive on luck, you need a good team. Look at our Test side, we have become number 1 because we are a good team. There is a lot of planning, skill, sacrifice, talent and determination that has gone into this success and yes a bit of luck as well. But not 90 per cent of it is luck. I also feel a captain is as good as his team. You can't win matches on captaincy. I feel Mahender Singh Dhoni is lucky that he is leading this side.

Q: So, what's your percentage ratio?

A: I think it is 90 per cent talent and skill and 10 per cent luck. You can't be relying on luck too much.

Q: You just finished nets, looking for that rhythm in batting. Is there any sort of ‘nets' which can teach you captaincy?

A: Well, I don't think so. You can't learn to lead a team, you get better as you keep doing it. One should be creative and innovative. Most importantly, you should be able to understand your teammates and give them a comfortable atmosphere. They should feel secure, they should be able to express themselves on the field with the knowledge that their captain is firmly behind them.

Q: Is this sense of insecurity coming from personal experiences?

A: Absolutely. I never felt secure during the initial part of my career but now as a skipper of Delhi Daredevils I try to do everything possible so that youngsters like Pradeep Sangwan or Yo Mahesh get an atmosphere where they play without fear of getting dropped.

Q: What is that one trait in your personality which holds you in good stead as a captain?

A: The fact that I think about others.

Q: Do you see yourself leading India at some stage?

A: Everyone dreams about that but at the moment Mahender Singh Dhoni is doing a fine job and the team is doing well under him.

Q: You know there are times when from the outside you are holding yourself back. You are not really enjoying your batting, it is not free flowing.

A: There is something personal that I'd like to share. Recently, I was about to go into bat against South Africa in the Kolkata Test match when coach Gary Kirsten came to me and said, ‘Now, go out and enjoy your game.' I told Gary that this is something that I'm not able to do. He told me ‘you are exactly like me. I too never enjoyed my batting but kept going for the team.' People like Gary and myself take too much pressure on ourselves and just stop enjoying the task at hand.

Q: But it is bizarre that after scoring all those runs in last two years, finishing as the ICC Test player of the year, five hundreds in a row, you are saying that you are not enjoying the game. It is unbelievable.

A: I know to the outside world it may seem bizarre but that's a fact I don't enjoy batting because I take too much pressure on myself. With that in mind I do not play those flowing strokes. I mean I have not played a single extra-cover drive in last 3 Test series!

Q: But why? You can play your shots...

A: I don't know what it is, may be I just want to score every single run, make up for all the time lost. May be I just want to keep proving all my critics wrong and for that I keep analysing my game so that it gets better. I really have no idea why I am like this. I sulk if I have just 2 or 3 bad innings. I think I am just too hard on myself. And I checked this with team's mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton if it is normal and he just said that I am different.

Q: For someone so sensitive, you must be a happy man with praises showered on you by Gary Kirsten. I believe he too has given you a name.

A: Ya. Earlier, Gary use to call me the Banker of the team now he calls me the Rock. His explanation is that we have The Wall in Rahul Dravid and we have The Master in Sachin Tendulkar and now the team needed a "Rock". He said that he doesn't want me to be the second wall and that is why this name. Honestly speaking, it is a little embarrassing to have names like these. To me the biggest accolade is to play for the country, that is it.

Q: I believe Kirsten has asked you to invite him on three occasions. Tell us about that.

A: Ya. He wants to be at the stadium when I score my 22nd Test century because that would mean I'd be surpassing his record of 21 Test hundreds. Second, he wants to see me playing my 100th Test match. Third one....I can't recall, may be my marriage.

Q: And what are your expectations from him?

A: I just want that he should start eating and develop a taste for butter chicken and daal makhani....so that I have company for dinner (laughs).

Q: Now, you should be married and looking forward to your wife's company. Isn't it?

A: Yes, I want to settle down now, sometimes it gets really lonely.

Q: So, what's the status there....are you leaving the balls outside the off stump ready to step out of the crease?

A: (Smiles) Leaving the balls outside off.

Q: But what's the kind of girl you want?

A: I'd marry someone who can take my tantrums, someone who can take my mood swings. As I said I can sulk for long hours if I don't do well in cricket so she has to understand that and help me recover from that. Other than that my expectations are quite normal.

Q: During a chat room discussion on you on the internet recently, one of your female fans said that, "Gautam has a wife and has a girlfriend". How do you react to such things?

A: (laughs out loud) Oh no, no...I mean where did this come from. I am happily single but then isn't that a married man's wish!!

Q: Tell me, if you got an Alladin's chiraag, what would you ask for?

A: Emmm...happiness.

Q: No penthouses, no big cars?

A: I have and will always look for peace and happiness from life. I am never the kind who craves for penthouses, Ferraris or other pleasures of life. I am a simple person who wants to be a good human being.

Q: What's the craziest rumour you ever heard about yourself?

A: That I am hot....Do I look hot? Perhaps the only place I look hot is when I am in the middle. I'd prefer if girls called me cute.