Hard-hitting all-rounder Sujit Nayak, who featured in both seasons of T20 Mumbai, credits the league for the recent turnaround of his cricketing career.

"All thanks to the organizers and franchises of T20 Mumbai for turning my career around," the 30-year-old said in an Instagram live chat with fellow Mumbai cricketer Kaustub Pawar.

The all-rounder, who has represented Mumbai in domestic cricket, was bought by SoBo Supersonics in the T20 Mumbai Season 1 auction and impressed in the maiden stint.

"I wasn’t expecting anyone to pick me in the first season of the league. I have the highest regards for SoBo Supersonics for giving me the opportunity to play,” said Sujit Nayak.

Batting in the middle order, he amassed 187 runs in six matches that season, which included an unbeaten 99, the highest individual score of that campaign.

“I remember there were around 17,000 to 18,000 spectators at Wankhede when I scored that 99 not out.

“It was a Saturday, the stadium was packed and the crowd was chanting my name. It was a very special moment for me,” he reminisced.

The all-rounder's 99* off 42 balls against ARCS Andheri, which included nine sixes, remains the second-highest score in T20 Mumbai history.

It was surpassed only by former teammate Jay Bista's 110 off 60 balls against Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs in the second semi-final of Season 2.

Sujit Nayak represented NaMo Bandra Blasters in the second season of T20 Mumbai and scored 167 runs in five matches for his side. He was also handy with the ball and picked up six wickets, one shy of Aditya Dhumal who led the team with seven.

Sujit Nayak, son of former Indian cricketer Suru Nayak, has been a part of the Mumbai Indians roster in 2012 and Delhi Daredevils in 2013 for the Indian Premier League.

He focused on cricket at the age of 19 with one of his first professional stints established with the Under-22 team along with the Times Shield and other B Division tournaments.

“I used to get holidays from my school during match days and didn’t need to study. I could miss my lectures with the excuse of cricket practice.

“This was the only reason I played cricket,” quipped Sujit Nayak.

After spending time honing his skills with the Reliance One team and Tata Sports Academy, he went on to represent the senior Mumbai team in the domestic stage.