Madhya Pradesh v Orissa, Pre-quarterfinal, Indore, 1993-94Making my Ranji Trophy debut was a dream come true because as a child, I always wanted to start with first-class cricket. I had just finished playing Under-19 cricket and had had a good season. I scored a double-hundred, two centuries and an 80. On the basis of those performances, I was selected for the Ranji Trophy that year.I had previously captained the U-17 Indian team that went to England and had also represented India at the U-19 level. That year was massive for me because I was batting really well. The selectors told me that they were keeping a close eye on me and asked me to continue doing well. Luckily, that year, I got the chance.I was training with the school team when I got the news. Amiya Ray, who was my senior, congratulated me, saying I had been selected. I was very excited as I was hoping I would get through that year in Ranji Trophy. Ranjib Biswal was the captain at the time and he gave me the cap. It was a great feeling. Both Ranjib and Amiya were from my club and I had been training with them for a long time.More than nervous, Id say I was excited. My captain said its a bit different from U-19 but asked me not to change anything and just enjoy the four days, so I just trusted my technique and ability. I had the confidence because I knew even if I failed, the management was going to back me.When I walked out to bat, there were three slips, a gully and a short leg. I dont think they sledged me, but when you are making your debut at 17 or 18, there will obviously be a lot of noise around. It was just a matter of taking that out of your mind and focusing on the ball; I had been through a similar phase in the U-19s as well. So I had to focus really well for the first 10-15 balls. Once you get through that phase, you know what to expect from the bowlers and how the wicket is behaving. The outfield was barren and really quick, so I knew once I timed the ball, it would race away to the boundary. All I had to worry about was spending time at the wicket.I remember Narendra Hirwani was playing for Madhya Pradesh and I was excited to play against a Test player. They had an experienced attack that had been doing well all season. At the Ranji level, bowlers hit consistent lines and good areas, so it was a matter of playing them out.I was batting well before I got out in the first innings. It was a short ball, outside off-stump, and I tried to play a backfoot drive to a spinner. The ball spun a bit and I edged to the slips. It was not a ball to get out to. I was disappointed not to get runs because the pitch was really good. A couple of seniors came up to me and said there is nothing to worry about.But, luckily, I did really well in the second innings. The key was to get a good start again and break down the innings into installments of 10 runs. I remember batting with Sushil Kumar, who was a very jolly guy. He was cracking jokes and calmed me down a lot. After crossing 15-20 runs, I knew if I stayed around for two-three more hours, given that it was quite humid and hot, the bowlers werent going to bowl long spells.When I scored my 98th run, they brought the field up. There was a forward short leg, a backward short leg and a silly point. The ball I got out to was well outside off stump. I offered my pad, but it came back in before brushing the flap and lobbed onto my stump. I was shattered to have missed out on the century. But I told myself that I had at least got to bat these many number of overs and had played well.I could not make the next match (quarterfinal against Maharashtra) as I had to appear for my exams. Those days, the Ranji Trophy was a big deal for us and getting into the side and competing against the best players in India was a big deal. And I was lucky to have had the great senior players of our side around -- Ranjib, Amiya, Prasant Mohapatra - when it happened. To get an opportunity that early in my career helped me a lot.As told to Akshay GopalakrishnanWilson Ramos Mets Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. http://www.metsbaseballauthentic.com/zack-wheeler-mets-jersey/ . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Jacob deGrom Mets Jersey . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Mike Piazza Mets Jersey .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center.Should Manchester United have had a penalty? Should Chris Smalling have been sent off? Was Ruben Loftus-Cheek inside or outside the box when fouled against West Ham? And was Neymar correctly awarded a penalty against Villarreal?In his weekly Ref Watch feature, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher appeared on Sky Sports Now to analyse the weekends big issues.Was your team affected by a contentious decision? Read on to find out... MATCH: Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United, SundayINCIDENT: In the penalty box, Martin Demichelis appears to barge into Marcus Rashford, knocking him off balance, but no penalty is given.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: Penalty Jamie Carragher said Manchester United were denied a blatant penalty GALLAGHERS VIEW: All I can think is Michael (Oliver, the referee) thinks Demichelis shoulder-barges him when you see he hasnt. Hes caught him in the midriff. Its just a decision hes got wrong, and knowing Michael as I do, hell be upset about that. Its just an error.MATCH: Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United, SundayINCIDENT: Already on a booking, Chris Smalling clips the back of Sergio Agueros foot and concedes a foul, but referee Oliver does not send him off.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: No red card Chris Smalling appeared to go through the back of Aguero GALLAGHERS VIEW: What you have to remember is it took him three fouls to get him a first yellow card, it doesnt necessarily have to take another three to get him to a red card.But it doesnt automatically mean his next foul is going to be a red card. That wasnt enough for a yellow card and therefore I think it was right just to speak to him.MATCH: Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester, SaturdayINCIDENT: A Leicester corner is taken and Scott Dann pulls Robert Huths shirt off in the penalty box among the pushing. The referee gives nothing.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: No penalty Robert Huths shirt was pulled off by Scott Dann GALLAGHERS VIEW: The referee is too distant from the incident when you see it. The referee has got so much to watch, hes looking through so many players he cant see that, and when Huth gets up it turns into comedy value. MATCH: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham, SaturdayINCIDENT: Chelsea are awarded a penalty for a foul by Michail Antonio on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but there are questions over whether Loftus-Cheek was in or outside the box when Antonio tripped him up.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: No penalty Ruben Loftus-Cheek looked to have been clipped by Michail Antonio outside the box GALLAGHERS VIEW: I think its a foul, at that point the referee doesnt know where it is, hes got to look to the assistant who makes that call looking across the line - is he in, is he out?If he (the assistant referee) has made that call hes made it incorrectly, because it was outside the penalty area.MATCH: Everton 0-2 Arsenal, SaturdayINCIDENT: Alexis Sanchez has the ball at this feet and appears to be tripped by Muhamed Besicc as he prepares to shoot.dddddddddddd He stays on his feet at first before going to ground, and referee Mark Clattenburg ignores the claims. GALLAGHERS VERDICT: Penalty Dermot Gallagher feels a penalty should have been given for Mo Besics trip on Alexis Sanchez GALLAGHERS VIEW: Its Besic who actually catches it and Mark doesnt see that. Because Mark sees Sanchez down, he doesnt give a foul against Ramiro Funes Mori as hes already going down. What he doesnt see is that contact from Besic because of Alex Iwobi.MATCH: Southampton 3-2 Liverpool, SundayINCIDENT: Shane Long drives into the box and is challenged from behind by Dejan Lovren. The forward goes to ground but the referee says no penalty.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: Penalty Southampton should have been awarded a penalty after Lovrens brings down Long, says Gallagher GALLAGHERS VIEW: Its a penalty because Long is in possession of the ball and its up to the defender not to make contact, but Long has initiated contact by going across him.MATCH: Southampton 3-2 Liverpool, SundayINCIDENT: The ball is played into the box for Graziano Pelle and Martin Skrtel is penalised for having a hold of his shirt. Referee Roger East gives a penalty.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: Penalty Liverpool conceded a penalty as Martin Skrtel pulled down Graziano Pelle in the box GALLAGHERS VIEW: Skrtel makes the initial contact, he grabs him. When we talk about shirt pulling, there has to be an initiator and I think Skrtel is the initiator.MATCH: Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland, SundayINCIDENT: DeAndre Yedlin commits a foul throw, conceding possession back to Newcastle which leads to an equaliser. But is it a foul throw?GALLAGHERS VERDICT: Foul throw DeAndre Yedlin appeared to commit a foul throw against Newcastle, which directly led to their rivals equaliser GALLAGHERS VIEW: The ball has to come from behind his head and I dont think it does. Its from in front of his head, he also throws it into the ground, its a classic example of what is a foul throw.MATCH: Villarreal 2-2 Barcelona, SundayINCIDENT: Neymar is awarded a penalty after being brought down in the box by Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.GALLAGHERS VERDICT: Penalty Neymar won and converted a controversial penalty in their La Liga game at Villarreal. GALLAGHERS VIEW: The first touch takes the ball away, he fouls him. The goalkeeper definitely got the ball but he fouls him first. A very good spot by the referee.Also See:Lovren taken off to avoid redWATCH: Blatant United penaltyCarra on state of Citys squadWATCH: Worst ever penalty call? ' ' '