Calcutta: Jacques Kallis was spot-on.

Compere Archana Vijaya asked the head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders about the qualities of a winner and Kallis said: "Never focus on the weaknesses, focus should always be on positives. You may lose your aim if you start thinking about the failures."

And when he was saying those words during the Chat with the Champions presented by The Telegraph, the Atmodaya Bhavan audience at La Martiniere for Boys listened in rapt attention.

"It's all about hard work. As a student you should always study hard before the exams. So you are well prepared to answer the questions. You are not nervous. And in cricket it's similar. You practise hard at the nets because you strive to reach a level," Kallis said on Monday.

According to Kallis, winning is everything. "You never play to lose. Losing to me is not fun. I may have gone on record that I am not a bad loser, but deep down I know how bad I feel when I lose a game. Every time you wake up you should think of how to win. You must dream of winning... must have the passion to win. At the same time I must say every time you lose, you learn some thing. It's as simple as that."

Kallis said his dad Henry was the biggest influence on his life.

"Upbringing is very important in life. I am lucky that to have parents like my dad and mom (Mercia). My dad played a big role in shaping up my life. He had always spoke about staying humble. He had told me if I made it big I should remain humble and give something back to society.

"We were not from a wealthy background, so those teachings kept myself level-headed. I am doing something for the school children through my Foundation (Jacques Kallis Scholarship Foundation).

"My message to all the youngsters here will be, 'Do not do anything half-heartedly. Always give 100 per cent'."

Kallis said KKR principal owner Shah Rukh Khan is also someone he looks up to. "Given what he achieved and the following he has across the world, he is well-grounded. And the best part about the Shah Rukh is he has time for everybody."

The KKR mentor and bowling coach Wasim Akram, who was also one of the speakers, talked about how determined he was to play at least for 15 years when he made his debut for Pakistan.

"People always said I was talented. But I did not want to be someone who was talented yet had just one good series. I wanted to play at the top level for 15 years. That's the promise I made to myself when I earned my Pakistan cap."

According to Akram, former Pakistan captains Imran Khan and Javed Miandad were the biggest influences.

"From Imran, I learnt how important is hard work. Those sprints, then bowling at the nets and the again batting practice... It was really tough.

"But Imran insisted I go through the process. And I absorbed everything. From Miandad, I learnt street-smartness, which is very important in any sphere of life," he said.

Akram said motivator Mike Horn's observation -"Winning is not everything, but sometimes winning is the only thing" - is very inspiring. "If you talk about the winning mentality I must say Horn's these words are very inspiring."

Akram wished he was better in studies, which could have helped him to improve his game.

"If I was good in studies I think I could have evolved as a better cricketer. I always believed that education is very important," he added.

There were some banters too during the 45-minute event. Simon Katich, who was one of the semi-finalists in the Celebrity MasterChef Australia 2009, revealed that he was yet to cook for the KKR players.

"No not yet," he said. Even before Katich could complete, Kallis said: "Well, I am useless in the kitchen. So do not ask me about cooking. If I cook for my team, they may not take the field the next day."

Both Kallis and Akram were fascinated by the La Martiniere premise. Kallis asked when was it founded and was informed that the school it was in 1836. And the former Pakistan captain found the playing field "very spacious."

Also present in the audience were La Martiniere principal John F Rafi and DD Purkayastha, managing director and CEO of ABP Pvt Ltd.