It was an unforgettable debut year for me leading the Mumbai (then called Bombay) side. Going into the summit clash against Maharashtra at Brabourne Stadium in 1971, I was under tremendous pressure, as we did not have the services of star players like Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Sardesai, Ashok Mankad and Eknath Solkar, who were in the West Indies on national duty.

It was a challenge to win the Ranji Trophy for the 13th time on the trot. Before leaving for the Caribbean, Gavaskar told me 'Bombay should win, come what may. Keep that tradition; it's your responsibility now. I know it is very difficult, but we are confident that with your intelligence, we can do it'. I said we will try our best to keep Bombay's flag flying high.