It wasn't for the first time this season that Abhishek Nayar scored a century. But still the jubilation --- after reaching to his third ton --- suggested that every run and a hundred mattered for the Mumbai batsman.
As he completed a single after flicking Ketul Patel to mid-wicket, Nayar jumped in joy and acknowledged his teammates' applause.
Dream seasonIt's been a dream season so far for Nayar and Monday at the Wankhede Stadium was no different. Having already gone into the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal tie as Mumbai's leading scorer, the left-hander once again emphasised his worth with an unbeaten 122 (217b, 12x4).
His 11th first-class ton - which followed after Wasim Jaffer had laid the foundation with 150 (279b, 18x4, 3x6) and following Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 80th first class century - buried Baroda under an avalanche of runs, with the hosts finishing day two on 524 for 6.
In the three ODIs he has played for India in 2009, Nayar batted only once but remained unbeaten on nought.
{{/usCountry}}In the three ODIs he has played for India in 2009, Nayar batted only once but remained unbeaten on nought.
{{/usCountry}}Since then, he hasn't made it to the national team, with numerous injuries being the chief cause of his aspirations to play in India colours being repeatedly hampered.
Making an impact
Nayar returned last season and scored more than 600 runs, but it is his current performance that is creating an impact. By no means Monday's knock was extraordinary with a wicket favouring batsmen and a pedestrian Baroda attack. Still, it was Nayar's hunger for runs that stood out.
The 29-year-old later revealed he was aiming for bigger things. “This year, I want to make most of the opportunity.
“To get back into the India team and keep pushing the limit is what I want to achieve,” said Nayar.