If India were able to win the NatWest Tri-Series, involving England and Sri Lanka, it was mainly because of one man, nay boy: Mohammad Kaif. The 21-year-old former India Under-19 captain played with rare determination and courage, scoring an unbeaten 87, off only 75 balls, as India chased a mammoth 325 in the final against England.

After the heroic knock, Kaif spoke with Harsha Bhogle, on the ESPN-STAR programme Harsha Online. A transcript of the conversation.

On what was on his mind when he came out to bat in the final...

Honestly speaking, I was under tremendous pressure, but I knew Yuvraj was there and he is the kind of guy who hits the ball really hard. I thought that if I played with him till the end, then we can really change the game.

I was just looking at rotating the strike and see what happens in the end.

On when he realised that he wanted to play cricket...

I started playing cricket when I was around 10. I realised that I wanted to play cricket seriously when I was 15, and toured England in 1996, and we won the match against Pakistan.

I was never really interested in studies from the very beginning, but I don’t really regret the fact that I didn’t study further, because if I had I wouldn’t be sitting here with you.

On his fielding skills...

We used to practice our fielding quite a bit during the time we were in hostel. From there on I gave it a lot of importance because I felt that fielding plays a major role in international cricket.

On the importance of fitness...

Fitness is a very important factor in international cricket. It makes a big difference, if you get a great catch or if you break a partnership and a new batsman comes in and you get some quick wickets, it totally changes the course of the game.

Does he feel now that India have a great achievement...

I didn’t notice it first when we won; but once I met various people and read the newspapers I realised that we had done something.

When Ganguly came and hugged me in his arms it really felt great. It was a great feeling.

On his current team...

From the last couple of series that we have played, we have been really combined and played to our potential. We are really working hard as a team and we really want to win every game.

On when he found out that no one was watching the match at his house....

Well, I didn’t know then. Someone told me in the morning that my folks had gone to watch a film while the match was on. It's surprising that they went for a film because they usually don’t watch films.

On his camaraderie with Yuvraj Singh...

I enjoy batting with him; he makes you feel free, and there isn’t the pressure of making a run on every ball. Since we have played for so long we have a good understanding.

On how he felt when India won the final....

It was an amazing feeling; I have never felt this way before. It was the greatest moment of my life. I can’t explain it.

On his likes...

Kaiser Fahan [mother]: He likes home food. Whenever he comes home he tells me to cook for him. He really likes eating 'pulao' and also wants aam ka achaar [mango pickle] with it. So I have made achaar and kept it for him.

Kaif: I like achaar, but home made and not from outside. When you are on tour, you really miss home food. You get Indian food here as well but it's not the same thing.

- courtesy © ESPN-STAR Sports