When I first entered the Mumbai dressing room (last season), I was nervous. The first thing I was asked was to give a speech. I don't remember what I said, but there was huge pressure on me as I had to speak in front of the stalwarts. It is the kind of pressure I have not encountered while batting.
However, once I was done with my speech, I relaxed. Everyone became friendly after that and there were positive vibes all over. It is due to my teammates that I have been able to perform. It is all thanks to their support and backing.
Obviously, it's a big thing to play for the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team. It is the dream of every kid who starts to play cricket, that he wants to play for the champion team one day. I feel proud whenever I step out on the field with the Lion Crest on my T-shirt. The feeling is simply unbelievable.
I started playing cricket because I enjoyed it. To play for Mumbai became a dream once I got to know the importance of it. Once I got deeper into the game, the desire to play for Mumbai only became stronger.
As age group cricketers, we have been trying and we get U-19 and U-23 games to show our performances. My dream now is to be a part of the team that wins Ranji Trophy.
When you are playing Ranji Trophy and your team has already won it 41 times, the hunger to win for the 42nd time is a different fun and feeling altogether. We have been working hard to realise the dream of winning win it this year. We came close last year but missed out against Gujarat by a whisker.
The Mumbai team has always been known to play Khadoos (stubborn) cricket. I am also learning from the seniors on how to go about playing Khadoos cricket. And the seniors have been quite helpful.
When I came into the team, I was not asked to play this way or that way. The seniors pushed me into a comfortable position and did not put any kind of pressure. They asked me to play the way I have been doing in U-19. They have given me free hand to play my natural game.
But there is still some pressure when you step into the field because as a Mumbai cricketer, you have to live up to the reputation and expectations. People watch you and follow you.
Mumbai has contributed by giving some great players and captains to India. The standard that our predecessors have set is quite high and hence, the pressure. What I have learnt is not to play as an individual but as a team. Which is why it is all the more fun.
It will be Mumbai's 500th game today and I am excited. It is a big moment. There is pressure too. But we want to take it as just another game. At the same time, we want to make it memorable by winning it outright.
We are desperate to win the Ranji Trophy this year and we have been working doubly hard for the same.
The 500th game also coincides with my 18th birthday. Although I haven't thought about it, but I want to make it special. A win will definitely be an icing on the cake.
As told to Taus Rizvi
(Prthivi Shaw is the youngest member of the Mumbai team. He has scored four hundreds in five first-class matches)
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 "Prithvi Shaw")
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