During the 2011 World Cup, I was sitting at the Wankhede Stadium when India won.
Prithvi Shaw
A hundred for Mumbai feels good, and it doesn't get bigger than MCA for me because they are the people who have helped me get to where I have.
When I came to Under-19, I played a lot of cricket and got a lot of experience. Then India A as well, and Ranji Trophy - it just keeps going on.
Amit Mishra has got that experience. He has played 10-12 years of international cricket. Whenever he bowls those four overs, he knows exactly what his plans are. He has bowled to almost every player, and he knows where to bowl to them.
I can't compare myself to Tendulkar, because he has already played and done with his 25 years of international career and scored 100 hundreds.
It was a dream come true to meet GR Viswanath sir, who is a legend in the game.
I am a person who likes to be in the present.
It is all about experience. When you are 7-8 years old, you start playing school cricket and score runs; my coaches, from school level to Rahul Dravid Sir now, all those small, small things - the experiences make a difference.
Just in a matter of eight months to win the U-19 World Cup as captain and then make the Test team is quite unreal.
My dad doesn't know that much about cricket, but he has watched so many years of cricket.
I try to play each ball on its merit.
I never thought of making my India debut right after the U-19 win. I took it match by match.
I began playing at the age of six, but at that point, I had little idea of cricket; forget the talent part. It's around the age of 10-11, when more people around me began talking of my skills, that I felt maybe I could go on to do something.
I like Arijit Singh and often listen to his tracks.
I like to play attacking shots, even if it is in the first over of the game. If I get out playing attacking shots, then so be it.
I am very happy and proud - I played a lot of school cricket and scored heavily there, and then the Ranji Trophy, but when we represent India, it's a different feeling.
Whatever games came my way, I tried to give my best, do whatever I could to win matches for the team, be it at the Ranji Trophy level, India A, IPL: this was always on my mind.
School cricket is where we all start. The journey of a cricketer starts from there, and it was the same for me.
Tendulkar is my idol in cricket, and one thing I try to pick up from him is how he carries himself in a humble manner.
As a captain, I just want to lead the team properly.
I don't want to bring in negative vibes in my career.
I have been an aggressive batsman since my school days, and I play my game as such.
Each player wants to perform in every match he plays. Sometimes it happens; sometimes it doesn't. If I am not able to perform in a given match, I leave that behind.
Every cricketer dreams of coming into the Indian side.
Whenever you play international cricket, there is always a challenge.
To represent your country is the ultimate honour, and to play Test cricket for India will be the ultimate fulfilment of my cricketing ambition.
Once you graduate from the Under-19 level, no one really gives you technical advice. It is all about making mental adjustments.
I am not a person who will think about the past.
Cricket came about for me when my dad started throwing plastic balls to me at home. I was four or five.
When the time comes to play Irani Cup, if I get the chance, I will make sure I will do my best.
If you look at any Mumbai guy, he starts to handle pressure at a very young age. Starts at the school level, then the pressure from parents, from the coaches.
I am an attacking batsman, but I've learned a lot about patience. There are clever bowlers who can pick your weak points, so I have to be a bit patient, play out a spell or two.
The biggest difference at the Ranji Trophy level is that of the pace you face. You don't get as many quick bowlers at the Under-19 level.
If you score a hundred in one game and then don't do much in the next three or four matches, then that hundred doesn't mean anything.
Ranji Trophy is a great experience for youngsters.
For India, it is all about whatever number they want me to bat and not the other way round.
I have learned a lot playing in domestic first-class cricket: how to score runs, how to counter situations.
I try to make runs, keep the scoreboard moving. That keeps my confidence up.
Becoming World Cup captain, I can't express in words the feeling and thanks to everyone.
Whatever opportunities I got after the Under-19 World Cup, I tried to make most of it and do my best for the team.
It was a great feeling to score a century on Test debut. I got a lot of confidence.
I don't want to think much about my injury in Australia. That phase is history.
Dad played a very important role in my life. I always wanted to play cricket ,and my dream was his, too.
I usually don't get much free time. Cricket keeps me busy, and I like it that way.
Govinda is my favourite actor - his comedy and dance is unique.
From a small age, we used to play a lot of school cricket: 30-35 games in a year in school cricket, then Under-16 games.
I look to play the same way wherever I play.
I have to accept challenges wherever I play. Be it, India, U-19, state of T20 Leagues, I have to accept the challenges the same way I do when I play for India.
I look to gain experience wherever I play.
It is a really proud feeling to get my first Test cap.
