Column of the Day ( By Sachin Tendulkar )

I’m very thrilled and excited to be a part of the Mumbai’s winning team. After all, we have ended our ‘regain the Ranji Trophy’ campaign successfully.

Winning is always exciting. And to do it after failing to qualify for the Super League last season is extra special. We have hit back so strongly that we have lifted the trophy! This is where we belong!

To chase 591 was always going to be difficult for any opponent. So, despite a good partnership between VVS Laxman and Daniel Manohar, I was not worried at all. There are bound to be big partnerships but that’s when the champion side counts to break the stand.

Left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar did very well in this match. He is not just a good spinner but he bats as well. It is a terrific achievement to take seven wickets in the final. He showed a lot of character when the things were not going our way. It was he who removed Laxman and Manohar.

Pawar exactly knew what he had to do and where he belongs. I would advise him to stick to his own strengths. He’s a big spinner of the ball and bowls with a zip. I expect him to make it to the bigger grade sooner than later.

I don’t think we erred in picking four seamers for the final. Our ploy was to bowl 60-65 overs of pace and 25-30 overs from spin. As I experienced during the semis, it was going to be difficult to bat through the day in this heat. If they had to get to the target, two-three guys had to bat beyond expectations. Probably, that was impossible.

When I returned for the semi-finals, I had told the teammates come what may we should lift the trophy. I was confident of countering the hurdles as we are strong enough to hit back. Our attitude had to be like this: if the opposition scores 600, we will score 601. Never ever think that it is not possible. I told the team that this should be our mental frame of mind. Of course, the disappointment of the last season acted as a motivating force.

I feel Mumbai cricket did not belong there. We belong where we are right now. Indeed, sometimes the law of averages can catch us, like it did last year. But the God is surely going to help those who are willing to take chances and try harder than the rest. And we worked hard.

Vinod Kambli, too, has worked hard on his fitness. He had lost two crucial years due to a bad ankle injury. I thought he was given a raw deal at the first place. There was no need to remove him from the squad of 15. Vinod has performed better than so many guys who have played for India. As far as I’m concerned, he should be there. You have got to know who are your match winners. And Vinod is a match winner. He’s got the ability and heart to change a course of the match. He stands a good chance to make a come back. During the domestic season, Vinod was the backbone of the Mumbai team. I’m not surprised at all by his heavy scoring in the season.

It is important to have characters like him in the dressing room when the team is not doing well. He is chirpy and lively and lifts the side when the chips are down. When it was required, he also kept wickets for us. Mind you, not many players can do that. Having said that, I must emphasize that a couple of brilliant individual performances can’t make the triumph possible. It has to be a team effort.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Mumbai Cricket Association and others for all the backing they gave to the players: coach Ashok Mankad, secretaries Pravin Barve and Prof Shetty and ground in-charge Nadeem Memon. They gave us whatever we wanted. All this contributed in the end result.

That’s what the champion sides are made of.