Calcutta, April 14: Shikhar Dhawan, the record-authoring centurion on Test debut, spoke to The Telegraph in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team room at the ITC Sonar on Friday afternoon.

Shikhar, 31, is currently out of favour with the India selectors, but is working towards a quick comeback.

In what appears to be a first, Shikhar spoke at length exclusively on his marriage to Melbourne-based Ayesha Mukherjee. The couple have three children - daughters Rhea and Aliyah from Ayesha's previous marriage and son Zoravar.

Excerpts:

Q: Ayesha and your children are in Melbourne while you're based in New Delhi. Isn't that tough on you and them?

A: (Emotionally) Bahut difficult hai. I haven't met them for three months and I can't wait for May 1, when my daughters, son and Ayesha come to spend time with me. I'm so excited. Look, what is normal for most isn't normal for me. For example, if Zoravar holds my fingers and walks, I get the same joy as I would if I scored a hundred for India. Just hugging my children is reason for so much happiness. Even that would be something very normal for most, not for me.

Q: So, are you in regular contact with the family via Skype or FaceTime?

A: Look at the progress in technology; I stay in touch daily on FaceTime.

Q: The Shikhar-Ayesha love story is quite remarkable.... Friends on Facebook, long-distance romance.... Well, what's your take?

A: I'd never believed in falling in love via the Internet, for when a Germany-based cousin fell in love with a girl in India, via Facebook, I'd been the first to ask if he couldn't find a suitable bride in person in Germany. Soon enough, I myself fell in love the same way! Maybe it was destined to be this way. Ayesha had to come into my life and vice versa.

Q: When did you connect with Ayesha for the first time?

A: In 2011.

Q: And, fall in love?

A: Almost immediately.... Soon afterwards, Ayesha flew over to Delhi to meet me. We decided to get married at our first meeting.

Q: That's even more remarkable....

A: Chemistry ban gayi. The stars just fell in place.

Q: Ayesha is a divorcee with two daughters.... Didn't you expect opposition from your parents (Mahendra Pal, Sunaina), at least?

A: I did. You know, it's easy to fight the world, very tough to fight your own. I knew my parents were upset, was aware my mother (in particular) was getting hurt. That pained me too. However, my mind was made up and it was about only marrying Ayesha, not anybody else. I'd expected difficulties a-nd difficult it became. See, I've travelled the world and, so, my thinking is different from that of my parents. That is natural I'd say. Generally, the mentality in India is somewhat narrow.

Q: How did you go about things?

A: I'd been selected for the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia in July-August 2011 and I bluntly told my parents that I'd given up on convincing them and that I'd get engaged during that tour. I said 'main sagai karne ja raha hoon, rok sakte ho to rok lo (I'm going to get engaged, if you can, stop me)'.

Q: Did your parents make one more attempt to dissuade you?

A: No. I was their son, so they knew if my mind was set on something I'd accomplish it. They knew it would be futile to try and stop me.

Q: You went prepared with more than your kit bags then....

A: Absolutely. For the engagement, I took a diamond ring.

Q: Then when did Ayesha and you marry?

A: On October 30, 2012, at the Vasant Kunj Gurdwara.

Q: Did your parents attend the marriage?

A: Of course. By then, they'd accepted what was happening. Let me add that they love Ayesha like their own daughter, my sister Shreshta. Makes me very happy.

Q: What's the kind of influence Ayesha has had on you?

A: There's a saying 'jab aap ka partner ata hai to uska rang aap ke aur aap ka us pe chad jata hai (when you get a life partner, then shades of her get into you and vice versa)'. That holds good for our marriage as well. Ayesha loves cricket, so there's plenty of common ground in any case. She even watches Ranji Trophy matches. Indeed, Ayesha has been an inspiration and I'm grateful for the role she's played in my life. More than a wife, Ayesha is a friend. We gym together, play table tennis, go biking.

Q: How would you describe Ayesha?

A: Ayesha is the best mom I could have had for my kids and that takes the off-field pressure of me. She has a sense of humour and, really, does know what to do in life.

Q: Finally... the best way to describe you?

A: (Laughs) I have a jolly nature, though people have the impression that they shouldn't take panga with me. I'm a determined person, willing to go to any length if my mind is set on something.