I studied in St Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Bangalore but dedicated most of my time either to practising cricket or travelling for inter-school or inter-district matches. But I was also good in studies and did my graduation in 2008 with a degree in Commerce. 

I came into the limelight after the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy series in 2006 in which I scored a match-winning 100 off 93 balls for India A against India B. The year 2006-07 proved to be lucky for me as I had scored 854 runs in just seven consecutive matches that I had played. This got the selectors to notice me and my potential and they roped me in for the ODIs against England in 2007. Scoring 86 for Team India in my debut match was one of the biggest turning points of my life. 

The next milestone came soon after this in 2007 with my entry into the Indian squad for the ICC World Twenty20. In a match against Pakistan, I went in to bat when India was struggling at 39 for the loss of four wickets, and became the first Indian to score a 50 in a Twenty20 international match. It was a great feeling to lift the winner’s trophy at the end of the series. 

I returned to the domestic circuit in 2008 and started playing in IPL matches. I have played for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India and Kolkata Knight Riders, and each season has been a learning experience for me. I hit the maximum number of sixes in IPL 2010 and also got the Most Stylish Player of the Tournament award that year. I joined Kolkata Knight Riders last year and the team won the trophy. That was definitely a major career boost for me.

Currently, I am with Karnataka Premier League (KPL) in which a number of youngsters take part. I am looking forward to the upcoming Ranji Trophy in October and the matches against South Africa later this year.

Cricket is a high-pressure game. But I believe as long as I am doing what’s right, nobody take away the success that is in store for me.
 

(As told to Oindrila Mukherjee)