It is important for me, no matter whether I lead or not, that I continue my form even in the World Cup. It is important that you get runs because people look up to you, and the team also expects you to get runs being a senior member of the side.
But, ultimately, it is up to the captain to decide whether she wants to accept a suggestion or not. But, as a senior member of the team, I will always give suggestions for the betterment of the team, whenever I can come up with any.
I began my journey as a captain when I was just 21-22 and leading the Indian side for so many years has helped me also grow as a person. My growth as a person pretty much has happened on the ground along with teammates.
From making my international debut as a 16-year-old to now 37, it has been a good 21 years of my prime life spent not at home but at the ground - different countries, hotels, grounds, coaches, travel etc. It's been a very privileged journey.
When I made my debut I had a lot of seniors in the side, then players of my own age group, then juniors and now am rubbing shoulders with teenagers. It's actually the fourth generation of players and a rarity for a player to achieve it.
As a cricketer and captain, the lowest has the 2013 World Cup as it happened in India. Being the host team, we couldn't qualify for the Super Six and it was a big platform to do well and showcase women's cricket.
I think we are still on the lookout for a left-arm spinner who can at least be closer to what Neetu David has been for women's cricket.
I speak Tamil well and I am proud to be living as a Tamil. but above it all, I am very proud Indian!
But once you get accepted and are trained under the best coaches, these things really help boost your confidence level.
Having captained India for long, it is habitual to discuss with my mates and assess the bowling changes, the bowling changes, the field setting that the opposing captain would do.
These youngsters are gaining experience and making use of the opportunities. At some point, it will help me be relieved of responsibility because World Cup is such a high pressure tournament.
I have always believed that against smaller teams is when you can give others a chance to get some runs and gain some confidence.
The Qualifier is a different standard to what we will face in the World Cup in England. The conditions will be different, the pressure is different, double or treble what we faced here. This will give a base for all the young players rather than go into World Cup raw.
There are some people who feel that they deserve a particular award or recognition, but I don't fall in that category.
I am very laidback and I take it as it comes.
People were not even knowing that women's cricket existed. And from that phase to today where people would want to follow women's cricket, I think we have come a long way.
The first thing my mom told me after I reached Hyderabad was that I won't be going out on a two-wheeler.
When you are on the field as a captain, the mind is always working. You cannot relax at any point of time. You are always focussing on what is going to be the next move, what if it doesn't work, what if the situation changes and you have to change your plan.
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.
The biggest challenge I faced when I started playing in the 90s was my immediate family members were not very keen that I get into sport, leave alone cricket.
A lot of parents today come forward to encourage their daughters to take up sport because they feel women's cricket is growing in India and they can make a profession out of it.
India is still searching for its first World Cup title. Australia and England have shown they are able to bounce back from disappointment.
At this level, if you are aiming for the World Cup, because the tournament is so long there will be points where the team may lose a couple of games.
You can't just give up because you lose one game. India has always had the problem that when faced with the crunch matches, the team does not necessarily step up.
As a captain and as a player I wanted to lead the team well and score runs, because I know the team still depends on me very much.
It will be important because every country is looking forward to getting more girls to play the sport. And if you have another World Cup of, say, Under-19 or Under-21, it gives an opportunity for young girls to compete at that level because there's something to look forward to.