GREATER NOIDA: When India Red pacer Nathu Singh claimed his second first-class five-wicket haul (6/53) on Day Two against India Green, it looked that the Duleep Trophy opener might end within three days. In less than four sessions, 20 wickets were down and pacers from either side were making an impression with the pink ball.
However, India Red opener Abhinav Mukund had different plans. He was the sole batsmen on both the sides who denied swing, seam and bounce in the first innings. His dogged 77 provided a platform for the India Red and his motivation to the tail ensured they reached 161. Had he not played-on Pragyan Ojha, Mukund might have reached the three-figure mark.
At the presser after Day One, a journalist reminded him of having missed an easy hundred. Mukund laughed back. But he certainly took it seriously within and proved himself on Wednesday scoring an unbeaten 162 to give India Red a huge lead of 354 in the second innings.
His partner Sudip Chatterjee also flourished in the second innings and raced to his sixth first-class century (114) watching the simplified approach employed by Mukund on the other end. Mukund and Chatterjee played at a brisk pace and the hefty lead has put India Red in the driving seat. The duo upped the ante and played with a run-rate of over 4, putting up 240 runs. SIMPLIFY An American writer EB White once said that in order to keep complex situations at bay, simplify the process. Bit by bit. Writing and batting are completely different professions but the mindset involved in both of them could get complex. In comparison to others, Mukund simply simplified.
The Tamil Nadu batsman stuck to the basics and he played on the merit of the ball. He showed no hurry and spent time settling his eye in. The pink ball swung and had seam movement, at least on Day One. The other batsmen who threw their wickets away looked eager to score but Mukund was calm and composed in the first innings. He leant on to the drive, meaning he was on top of the ball and shouldered arms to the one away from him. To the spinners, his initial movement was just apt and as soon he found the length a bit short, he would rock back and execute the cut.
{{/usCountry}}The Tamil Nadu batsman stuck to the basics and he played on the merit of the ball. He showed no hurry and spent time settling his eye in. The pink ball swung and had seam movement, at least on Day One. The other batsmen who threw their wickets away looked eager to score but Mukund was calm and composed in the first innings. He leant on to the drive, meaning he was on top of the ball and shouldered arms to the one away from him. To the spinners, his initial movement was just apt and as soon he found the length a bit short, he would rock back and execute the cut.
{{/usCountry}}In the second innings, nothing was changed, although he brimmed with confidence. His head was steady as a camera and he moved with the line of the ball. Because his head was so still, some of his shots were elegant and effortless.
“He saw off the new ball really well and played even better in the second session. He was confident and times the ball well. Picked the length and line early,” said Robin Uthappa at the presser.
Mukund last played for India in 2011 in England at Nottingham. He had scored 0 & 3.
If Mukund continues to impress throughout the tournament, his performance could earn him a Test spot. With Shikhar Dhawan struggling at the top and India scheduled to play a series of Tests at home, Mukund might get a look in.
BRIEF SCORES
India Red 161 & 344/3 in 78 overs (Abhinav Mukund 162*, Sudip Chatterjee 114) v India Green 151 all out in 45.4 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 50; Nathu Singh 6/53; Kuldeep Yadav 3/32).