Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been captured in a suave and intense look for the cover of men's fashion magazine GQ India, in which he has spoken about life, childhood hijinks and his inkings.

After hitting the fastest-ever debut Test century at Mohali last year, batsman Dhawan grew big.

"God had plans for me. That innings changed my life," he has said in the magazine.

The 28-year-old, who already has a few tattoos, has said: "I may get my children's names on my back, but then that's it, I'll be done."

The Punjabi boy has also spoken about how he used to "rip up people's letters and put them down the sewer" and how "on Diwali, I'd put firecrackers in mailboxes and blow them up".

His mother used to get angry, but then he would "enjoy my beatings".

"It never used to hurt me, I would smile and she would get more frustrated," he added.

His interview will be available in the April issue of GQ India, which will hit the stands Tuesday.