Amidst strong speculation of him wanting to snap the ties with Rajasthan Royals, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said his long association with the IPL franchise has transformed his life and career.
'If you consider Parag for captaincy, how do you expect Samson to stay?'
Teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not as excited at the prospect of becoming the youngest ever to play in the IPL as he is at being coached by the legendary Rahul Dravid at Rajasthan Royals.
Rising India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has lauded former India head coach Rahul Dravid, calling him a "privilege" to have in this era.
'I was preparing for this moment for a long time and I am happy that it worked out the way I wanted.'
Bihar Cricket Association president Rakesh Tiwary, along with the Royals management, Dravid, and Vaibhav's father Sanjiv, are trying to create a safety net around the teenager, whose life has changed after becoming the youngest ever centurion in IPL's history.
My focus was on playing sessions and dispatching loose balls: Jaiswal
'I have been playing for UP since 2013 at No. 5 or 6. So, I have got used to that position. I keep backing myself to play in that position because it is very tough to play in that position if 4-5 wickets are down.'
'It was an off-day so Rahul Dravid sir decided that we should have some fun activities.'
Shubman Gill admitted that the pressure of failing to score big in the last few innings made him nervous
Rohit said he never doubted Jaiswal's talent and, during their opening partnership, kept telling the debutant that he belonged at the Test level.
'Rahul (Dravid) sir staying around each and every individual in this camp is the biggest boost,' said Ishan Kishan after practice.
India spinner Axar Patel has admitted that he was upset after missing out on the ODI World Cup at home due to an injury and it took him about a week to get over the disappointment and focus on recovery.
Pace bowler Avesh Khan said backing from captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid helped him get over the nerves in his debut match for India, in the third T20 International against West Indies on Sunday.
'The best part about what I loved about him (doing that) is we struggled, bro. Why it was so special was we struggled together. This would've been not this special if we had just cruised through.'
Shreyas Iyer has been in impressive form in the ODI series agaisnt West Indies but the batter is unhappy with his failure to convert back-to-back fifties into centuries.
India pacer Avesh Khan conceded he was under pressure after going wicket-less in the first three games, but head coach Rahul Dravid spurred him to come up with a match-winning performance in the fourth T20I against South Africa in Rajkot on Friday.
'Rahul sir has been a big influence in my batting. He constantly motivated me to do well.' Teenage star Sanju Samson, a member of the Indian ODI team in England, tells Manu Shankar/Rediff.com how he has improved as a cricketer.
'T20 cricket comes naturally to me because it is all about mindset.' 'I am someone who always loves to be aggressive on the field.'
India pacer Harshal Patel expressed happiness after being included in the playing eleven for Friday's T20 International against New Zealand, in Ranchi, saying it's an honour to be representing the country.
Ninteen-year-old Manish Pandey, the only Indian to hit a hundred in the IPL, has now set his sights on the Champions T20 in October.
Of late, Iyer has done well to cement his spot as India's number four in the limited-overs formats. He was criticised for recklessness before he matured as a batsman.
'I just back myself (on) how I bowled, I always bowl like that only, so there is nothing on my mind if someone hits you for a six, I just back myself and I control the middle overs and that is my job.'
Hardik Pandya bowling during an intra-squad game is a 'good sign', feels dashing India batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who believes that the bowler and the team management would take a call on his workload during the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka from July 13.
Neither does Shreyas Iyer wants to harp on the past nor is he keen to fret about what the future has in store for him. He just wants to "stay in the moment" and seize the day, as the illustrious Sunil Gavaskar advised him while giving the India cap.
According to SKY, the team atmosphere is very relaxed.
Young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal on Thursday said batting stalwart Rahul Dravid had advised him to focus on each ball and this suggestion immensely helped him.
The 18-year-old right-handed batsman struck three fifties and a hundred in the U-19 World Cup, which India won for the record fourth time after thrashing Australia by eight wickets in the final on Saturday.
'We are all going through an entire gamut of emotions. I only saw these players on TV and now I will play alongside them. It's indeed a great feeling.'
Shaw made a stroke-filled 39-ball 63 to help Mumbai thrash Assam by 83 runs in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game.
Shaw comes from Virar, a small town in Palghar district near Mumbai, and the youngster walked down memory lane, retracing his journey from his home town to New Zealand.
Saini was summoned to bowl at the India nets during Sri Lanka series in December 2017 as the net bowler but it was Gambhir who told him to concentrate on Ranji Trophy final.
Delhi Daredevils' hopes of reaching the play-offs have become slender after five losses from seven matches but their batsman Sanju Samson today said that his side need to keep going and play with a positive mindset in the remainder of the Indian Premier League.
Hardik Pandya has come back 'wiser' into the Indian team after being dropped and says his recent performance has given him a sense of belonging at the highest level.
Rishabh Pant says the former India captain has helped shape quite a few things in his still nascent career, ranging from his Indian Premier League contract to advice on wicketkeeping techniques.
Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who got his maiden India call as a member of the squad for T20 International matches against England, today expressed hope that he will learn some tricks about keeping from Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "(I am) pretty happy with my selection right now. I don't think too much, I am enjoying my selection," 19-year-old Pant told reporters on the sidelines of the 13th D Y Patil T20 Cup. "(I work) on my fitness, wicket (keeping) and batting, that is what is helping (me) out. Before the season I had a good off season with my trainer and that's what (is) helping me," the left-handed batsman, who plays for Delhi Ranji team, added.
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