We've got some good fast bowlers. Our batting, bowling and fielding all are clicking at the right time. Clicking at the right time is most important. Everybody is really good in this tournament, but the key is when you click as a unit, and in what situation. That is happening with us this year.
I think I'm consistent with my wicketkeeping for last 4-5 years. Even in the last IPL, my wicketkeeping was clinical. Even in domestic cricket, I have been really neat behind the stumps.
It depends on the team management, but I think wicketkeeping is a very important position. And a regular wicketkeeper should fulfill that requirement, not someone who doesn't keep regularly.
Chances will come in crucial times. If you take it, it's good for the team.
Whenever I get a chance up the order, I'll prove it. I love to bat at the top of the order, at No. 3. I've done very well at that position. But due to the competition in our team at the spot, I've been shifted to 5, 6. I've been given so many different numbers, but I think I've done well wherever I've batted. The team management wants me to finish off matches at this point of time. So I'm trying my best.
Yes, I'm confident of a Test comeback, definitely. I've played one Test in Sri Lanka, and I've done really well in that. I got a crucial partnership with the bat, and did very good behind the stumps as well. I took some good catches at crucial times. So I'm very confident that with my form in this IPL with the gloves, I'll get a look in. There are 13 Test matches next year, so my focus is on that.
Yes, it is frustrating. I've done well in India 'A' series, in domestic cricket for 6-7 years. I've got more than 8,000 runs in first class cricket. What can I say? They (selectors) said that they want a good wicketkeeper, not a batsman. So I improved my keeping. Then they told me that 'no we want a good batsman also'. I've done that also. The focus keeps shifting, whatever I do well, they shift the focus on the other things. That I can't help. Plus, I'm from a smaller state, so that works against me more than others.
You need a lot of focus, lot of discipline, lot of fitness. You need high levels of fitness to play Test cricket. So I did that, but I saw something that I had to improve, so I'm working on that.
Keeping to spinners on turning tracks. That's really challenging because you need to keep anticipating as to when the ball will come to you. One more thing that is really important is fitness. That level should really be high, because Test cricket demands high fitness levels. So I'm working on that.