Karnataka v Hyderabad, Hubli, 1992-93I got into the Karnakata team in 1992-93 after performing well in the local leagues. The Ranji Trophy debut came in my hometown, Hubli, where I used to practice, in December 1992. From 1983 to 1993, I had rigorous travel from Gadag to Hubli for 40 miles. I used to get up at 3.30am, catch a train at 4, reach Hubli at 6, practice, and then go back to school.I will never forget AK Industries where I was taken care of and trained. I spent a lot of time at Nehru Stadium in my younger days and luckily I made my debut at the same ground. I was very fortunate to have my family - my mom, my brother, sisters, friends - at my home ground for my debut. Those ten years of hard work gave me an opportunity.The buzz ahead of the match was that I had a chance but there was still a question mark because Raghuram Bhat was also there in the squad. It was a tough call for the management. Raghurams fitness was a concern, so I was the back-up. It was a doubtful start for me, I did not get any hint that I will debut. As soon as K Jeshwant was going for the toss, suddenly he said: Sunil, youre playing.That time I was just giving some knocking to one of our opening batsmen - PV Shashikanth. After hearing the news of my debut, there was a smile on my face. There was a little bit of nervousness too, but more than that I was happy I was making my Ranji debut at my home ground, where I practiced all those years. The comfort of family and the home ground pushed the nervousness to the back seat.I still remember the first ball I faced. I took my guard and Arshad Ayub was bowling and the wicket was a slow turner. But when I went forward for the first ball, it went over my head for wides, and the keeper was also beaten. After that I got my fifty, then after that I never looked back. I ended up getting 83 not out, hitting Arshad Ayub for five towering boundaries. Luckily my good friend Venky [Venkatesh Prasad] was there during that partnership. He got out in the end, otherwise, maybe I could have reached three figures. Or maybe not. Who knows?We got 500-odd runs and unfortunately the match got stopped after the second day because of the Ayodhya riots and curfew. We did not come to the ground after the second day. We got the news that the match was called off, and as soon as we left the hotel that night, we went to Bangalore. We were taken very well with the police escort and security. That incident actually rocked the whole of India.At the back of my mind, I did feel little disappointed the match was cut short, but, nevertheless, I started on a positive note. Not many players will get 83 on debut. In the end, I was very pleased with my performance. Jeshwant, K Srinath, who got a hundred in that match, supported me well.I also got to share the dressing room with Syed Kirmani, Rahul Dravid, and Venky. I went on to have a great relationship with Kirmani. I got my first hundred against Bombay at the Chinnaswamy Stadium with him. Kirmani and I had a great partnership of 240-odd runs. I think somewhere it is still in the partnership records for the seventh wicket for Karnataka. Ravi Shastri was leading Bombay at that time. I was on 99 one over before lunch and I tried to sweep a ball. Kirmani came up to me and said: Joey, just hang on, just one over to go for lunch. Just play a single, you dont need to get a six for the hundred. The next ball was bowled on the leg stump, I just flicked, and got to a hundred. I was fortunate to also see Kirmani keeping for me during my career.I played with Rahul in junior cricket, Ranji Trophy, and we shared the dressing room in international cricket between 1996 and 2002. His focus and consistency somewhere rubbed off on me and I wanted to have a longer career in domestic cricket.With Venky I bonded more because he was my room-mate from age-group cricket and then during various stages. Venky himself was a great player and he motivated me. Before my debut match, Venky, R Ananth, and K Srinath came to my home and I remember having a typical North Karnataka jowar roti meal with them.Then my second match was in Chennai. Kris Srikkanth was back with Tamil Nadu after the Pakistan tour. I think he didnt have a great tour there and he was out of form. But he got a hundred, and then I got him out. My first wicket was a Test captain, or a former captain I could say. It was a great first wicket to start with. I did face a tough time against the best batting of Tamil Nadu at that stage. But it felt great to have Srikkanth, that too Kirmani caught him at slips.I went on to play 117-odd Ranji games, and the most important thing is I always looked to get better.As told to Deivarayan MuthuAir Force 1 Herre Norge . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Air Force 1 Norge . JOHNS, N. http://www.airforce1norge.com/air-force-1-svart-norge.html . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Air Force 1 Just Do It Norge . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Nike Blazer Norge . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca.LAS VEGAS -- Elijah Wilson scored 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, Jaylen Shaw added 20 points and Coastal Carolina used a late run to pull away from Southern Utah 83-68 on Monday in an opening game of the MGM Grand Main Events middleweight division.After trailing by nine points at halftime, Southern Utahs James McGee tied it at 53 with a 3-pointer, but the Chanticleers (2-3) pulled ahead 68-58 on a 15-5 run capped by Jaylan Robertsons jumper. Wilson scored six points amid another 15-5 run, capping iit with a 3 with 1:35 to play.ddddddddddddWilson scored 12 points in the first half and his layup gave the Chanticleers a 25-24 edge they rode to a 39-30 halftime lead.Demario Beck scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Chanticleers.McGee scored 23 points, hitting 5-of-8 3-pointers for Southern Utah (1-3). Randy Onwuasor scored 22 and Race Parsons added 14. ' ' '