Shikhar Dhawan made a sparkling century in 85 balls on debut, beating the fastest century by a debutant by 20 balls. He scored 106 runs in one session. And did it with one half chance.
He got off the mark with a single - and got a hearty hug from Murali Vijay. Then he regaled the crowd with smooth strokes. Couple of hooks, several cover drives, a reverse sweep when first slip was moved.
An innings of this kind comes along once in a blue moon. Alan Border queried “where have you folks been hiding this guy?”. Good question.
Will he do well overseas? Too early to tell. But for now, cricket fans who watched his innings watched something special.
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What a debut for Dhawan. Australia form a beeline to shake his hands. He may still be wanting to pinch himself to make sure this is for real. Walks off giving his mo' a twirl. He just came out playing his shots but playing them all along the ground. He didn't loft a single solitary ball until he reached his hundred. It's the quickest by a debutant. His 33 fours are only four behind the most on debut. He can notch up one of the five fastest double-centuries of all time, and he can also go on and score the highest score by a debutant. How different would this have been had they appealed for that accidental mankading?
India is quite lucky to have a bunch of batsman. So they don't have to worry about Sachine Retirement. I am sure they are waiting for his 200 test and then new blood will take place of him. I think Sehwawg and Gambhir will be quite worried now.
All through the innings, he played as if he belonged. While aggressive,he rarely went fishing ourltside the off stump. Cover drives were so fluent. Running between the wickets - so sound. Man is so unassuming. Runs came to him easily today. An innings like this, I have not seen by an Indian.
The joy when he reached his century. That is what cricket is all about. What sports is all about. Did this really happen. Spectators on the ground and on TV/Internet must still be buzzing about this innings. And pinching themselves.
I hope he ll not be a 2nd Vindo Kambli. I have my sympathesises with that man, whose start of career was bombastic one, in his first 7 Test scored 2 consecutive double Tons but then couldn't repeat these innings and end his career with a average of 54 ....
Aussies have no answer to the cement wickets in India. Not to take anything away from Dhawan but these games are a waste..good for nothing..record making..ego stroking..self praising..useless series.
A healthy competition between bat and ball on a supporting wicket is always welcome.
ok finally saw the guy…he is ****in good…i have not seen anyone playing such a fluent innings from subcontinent…pull, hook, cover drives, padel shots, sweep, cut, late cut…he seems to have everything…he plays so good on the up…that is a good sign for bouncy pitches plus he is a great puller of the ball… he is not like sehwag who had nothing but hand eye coordination…anyway, we will see how he plays in south africa on bouncy pitches against quality attack…
No not that one. I watched a show when Inziman il haq was one of the guests when pak visited in India in Dec 2012 My bro said kambli was classless. And praised inzy being calm and opposite of kambli.
