Pressure is the biggest single factor in Test cricket.
I'd be lying if I say that not scoring a Test century was a burden on me.
It isn't easy being a celebrity cricketer in India.
I like it when the captain comes to me and says, 'We're really desperate for a wicket, can you get us one?' or when we really need something to happen in a Test match.
Teams expect a lot from an opening batsman. It is a lot of responsibility.
Keeping wicket is the worst place to be when out of form. You can't hide at fine leg where you might touch the ball once every 10 overs. Behind the wicket you are involved every ball.
There are times when I have felt the pressure, but at the moment I play cricket the only way I can.
You have to watch India in India truly to appreciate the pressure that Sachin Tendulkar is under every time he bats. Outside grounds, people wait until he goes in before paying to enter. They seem to want a wicket to fall even though it is their own side that will suffer.
In the IPL, you are often single-handedly responsible for the fortunes of your team. It makes you more responsible as a player.
In Pakistan cricket, the real test comes when the team is not doing well. When it is winning, everything is fine.
With all franchise cricket going on around in the world, the intensity of the game, sometimes is a burden.
I feel that when you are chasing 270 there's always going to be pressure but you need the opening pair to give us a start so that the batters can take from thereon.
It is a matter of pride, and a lot of pressure to play the role of a legend like Sunil Gavaskar. He is India's first cricket superstar.
Then started playing men's cricket when I was 15. That's when I stopped enjoying it. It was long days, 50-over games with men 15 years older who you don't really have anything in common with, all talking about going to the pub.
No one can deny there is a lot of pressure when Pakistan and India play, especially with the expectations of the fans at home.
