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I played tennis-ball cricket with my colony buddies from a very young age. I used to enjoy watching cricket on TV, and when we played, I would try to imitate the moves of my two favorite players, West Indian legend Viv Richards and Sunil Gavaskar. I didn't limit my study to the batsmen, though. I was also a huge bowler. I have bowled a lot in the nets throughout my career.

At the time, I was a student at Mumbai's New English School. However, my brother Ajit was aware that Shardashram Vidhya mandir, where Ramakant Achrekar Sir was the cricket coach, gave the game of cricket the respect it deserved compared to other Mumbai institutions. He also oversaw summer camps. One day, Ajit took me to the camp so that Sir could train me. Everyone was welcome to the camp for a trial, but Sir had the final say over who was admitted. At the time, I was eleven years old. When I went to see Achrekar Sir for the first time in 1943, I was eleven years old. He had just begun to play cricket at that age.

I was a little intimidated by the large crowd because I had never batted in the nets before. I was uncomfortable at any when asked to bat. I couldn't create an impression because Sir was observing me so intently.
Sir approached Ajit, who told him that I might not have been old enough to attend the camp and advised him to bring me back when I was a little older. If not for Ajit's persistence, my introduction to the Mumbai cricket scene may have been a complete failure.

Ajit had witnessed me perform in the colony and knew that I could do far more than what I had given in front of Achrekar Sir. He said, "I'm nervous," and he begged Sir to give me another chance. But in the process, he recommended that Sir act as if he was leaving and then observe from a distance. Sir concurred. Soon after, I was asked to bat once more, but without Sir's guidance eyes examining me, I felt more at ease and quickly began to strike the ball accurately. Sir permitted me to enter the camp this time. I was thrilled, and I have to admit that it was a life-changing chance.

Every morning and evening of the camp includes a session at Shivaji Park. I would Practice should take place in the morning between 7.30 and 10.30. I would return in the afternoon and continue practicing until the late hours. I would be worn out at the end of the day due to the demanding schedule. My house is in Bandra, and it took me forty minutes to go to Shivaji Park. To get there in time, I had to board an early morning bus. Ajit went with me the first few days to help me get adjusted to the schedule.

The remaining part will be discussed in the next article

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