A New Star Shining in the Galaxy of Indian Cricket

A new Star is shining now in the Galaxy of Indian Cricket.Shikar Dhavan.He had proved earlier akso he was a real " shikari" in the matter of hunting for runs in cricket. His profile&figures speak for him to support this opinion. In first Class Domestic cricket in 81 Matches he had earned5679 runs inclusive of 16 sparkling centuries.Besides,he was an active member of the Under19 cricket Team of India. Inspite of this shining records ,he could not become a part of Test Cricket Team until heattained the age of 27.Many a time he was expected to get selection to the Indian Team. But somehow or other the door of opportunity opened to him only now. In the meantime ,he had married Aesha Mukherjee&have been blessed with kids. His daughter was the happiest person in the world to welcome hois entry into TGest cricket&also to celebrate his fastest maiden century by an Indian on Debut. His Test carrier started with an anxious note.he was out before he played his first ball in Test cricket. Dhavan was outside his crease while Mitchel Starc was about to bowl his first ball of the Indian Innings to Vijay on when he slipped& the ball in his hand fell on the stumps.Dhavan who was ahead of his crease was Technically out.But neither Starc nor Captain Clarke made any appeal showing a lot of Sportsman Spirit not to make any appeal to the Umpire.had they appealed the Umpire had no choice but declare Dhavan out. Escaping from the mouth of the disaster,Dhavan went on to make his maiden century on debut,a rarecpphenomenon in cricket.later on he advanced further without giving any opportunity to the opponents to claim his wicket Easily.In the process he created record being the highest scorer on debut. He was all set to score a double Ton ,when at 187 fell to Lyon as a result of lack of concentration. Cowan was the lucky man to contain Dhavan in his hand.Misfortune played it's role on S.Dhavan. Thereafter,the wicket of the hero of Hyderabad Cheteswar Poojara also fell to a doubtful decision of LBW to Peter Siddle. Nothing except routine cricket followed after Vijay also completed his century.Vijay was still carrying on Well when just before Lunch Sachin Tendulkar returned to Pavilion for an early Lunch when he was caught by Cowan again to an ordinary ball from Smith.he made 37 in a partnership of 92 with Vijay.he was also yet another victim of lack of concentration. At lunch Murali Vijay was at the verge of 150 Just 8 short of it. After Lunch ,Virat Kohli joined Vijay in the middle who is still at 142 thinking over extending it yet another addition of 8 runs. He added 2 more runs reducing the balance to 6. India is at 395 for 3 .so if Vijay makes his milestone of 150 now it could also serve as another happy note Of taking India to 400 ,a score short by 8 from Australia. He eventually did it with 2 hits to the fence.A happy man Vijay now.his tally of 4s touching 19& 6s,3 And he is OUT At 153 after a noble deed to India giving a lead of 4 runs over Australia. It was Captain M.S.Dhoni's turn to join Virat Kohli in the middle.India 412 for 4 wickets which Dhoni made into 416 with a 4.but Alas! Next ball he was trapped in front by M.Starc.India plunged into a dark pit the score card Reading 416 for 5 wickets. R.Jadeja is walking to the crease to join Kohli.Both these batsmen together should add at least 100 runs more If India has to look for forcing a win in this Testm, But the game is not advancing according to my plan.it looks the Australian plans are better working one. Than mine as is obvious from the fall of Ravindra Jadeja for just 8 runs caught behind by Haddin b.Siddle. India plunging further to 431/6forcing Aswin to join Kohli as a company. But as though bad luck is reigning over the Test Match today ,Aswin fell identically to Jadeja. India going down to Down under at the deep trouble of 431/7. It looks as if the second New Ball taken by Australia 6 overs earlier is playing the Villains role for India. B.Kumar is giving company to Kohli now who is on 19. Virat Kohli is the lone player left now to lift India to a reasonable total to register a substantial lead over Australia. M.s.Dhoni & co in the dressing room might be wondering what to do & consoling themselves that a draw could safely allow them to win the Series against Australia.Michael Clarke his counterpart on duty in the field must also be fe Feeling the same way but with difference that he must be regretting whereas Dhoni refreshing. Now it is almost one hour left for Tea to stage a routine monotonous course of action at Mohali. One more day after stumps to day would be just a formality in this Test match. So I would be delighted to take a break from writing any more of this match& so allow me to take leave of you on a Happy note like the skipper of India. Sweet dreams to friends abroad . I would be at loss if I do not Congratulate Shikhar Dhavan& Murali Vijay once again for their centuries Which placed India in a safe position lifting them from a possible loss in this Test Match!!! SreedharanMundanat 17th March 2013 13-20 hrs(IST)