Two Young Stars, One Big Hope: Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's blistering start caps Team India's transition
With a dream spell of three for 31 to trigger a dramatic Australian
collapse on Day Four of the third Test in Mohali on March 17,
Bhuvneshwar complemented Shikhar's stupendous effort of 187, the highest
by an Indian and fastest ton by a debutant ever.
The steely determination shone through when success didn't come easy.
He got 505 runs to become the highest run-getter for India at the 2004
under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh. But he hit a roadblock with Virender
Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Aakash Chopra, all openers, playing for India
and for the same state. That was until an outstanding 2012-13 domestic
season with 800-plus runs-and lack of runs from Gambhir and
Sehwag-presented him with the opportunity.
Acid test awaits
Much of Team India's focus is now on the Champions Trophy in England in June and the Test tour to South Africa in December. Bhuvneshwar, now a constant across all formats, will find it easier given helpful conditions overseas though batsmen would be looking closely at his footage now. It will be more difficult for Shikhar, first to match his incredibly tall Mohali score and then to take on much taller pacemen like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbot and Vernon Philander on bouncy pitches. For a batsman who likes to take the opposition bowling by the scruff of the neck, Shikhar will be severely tested by the short ball, the bane of many Indian batsmen.
In a few days, when ipl begins and they play for different franchises, each will be tearing into the other at the start of the innings. But much as spectators will like that intriguing contest in the shorter format, they would love to see Shikhar and Bhuvneshwar on the same side as Team India begins its journey to the top of Test-playing nations. All over again
The grass was rough, the ground stony. The Victoria Park ground in
Meerut was the best the town could offer its aspiring cricketers despite
a thriving sports equipment manufacturing industry and a constant
supply of first-class cricketers. Yet, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 23, son of an
Uttar Pradesh Police Sub-Inspector, Kiran Pal Singh, made the most of
whatever facilities the town afforded him.
Shikhar
Dhawan, 27, brought up in Delhi, never had to worry about underprepared
pitches. He had plenty of practice and exposure to international stars
at his cricket club, Sonnet.
No. 276 and 277 on the Indian Test roster-Bhuvneshwar ahead by two
Tests-both are contenders for the most dramatic debuts in world cricket.
With a dream spell of three for 31 to trigger a dramatic Australian
collapse on Day Four of the third Test in Mohali on March 17,
Bhuvneshwar complemented Shikhar's stupendous effort of 187, the highest
by an Indian and fastest ton by a debutant ever. Together, they
propelled a team in transition to a never-before series win margin.
Shikhar will be unlucky to miss his home Test due to a hand injury
sustained during the Mohali game but Bhuvneshwar has plenty to look
forward to.
Team India has reasons to feel bullish. The smooth substitution of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli left skipper M.S. Dhoni only with the problem of handling the new ball-and tackling it. This seam bowler and opening batsman duo have fitted in neatly as the final pieces of the jigsaw. "I am just amazed with the way Bhuvneshwar has bowled on these unresponsive pitches. I am excited to think what he will do in conditions where he will get more help," Laxman said during his TV commentary stint. "Shikhar must make this start count," says Rahul Dravid.
Dreams in their eyes
This is a story of Gabbar and Bittu-as Shikhar and Bhuvneshwar are affectionately nicknamed. A story of two young boys from middle-class backgrounds introduced to the game of cricket by their family at the age of 12, who shared a dream of wearing the blue crest on their chest and a passion for fast machines.
Shikhar's passion for spunky bikes started with a yellow Enfield, which he showed off on the streets of Vikaspuri in Delhi. His dream of owning a Rs.25-lakh Hayabusa became a reality after the third IPL where he played for Mumbai Indians. Bhuvneshwar's little Indica car will see a bigger companion very soon-the newly-launched Honda CRV that would be delivered at his home after the Delhi Test.
His three-wicket burst against Pakistan in a T20 match in Bangalore brought Bhuvneshwar instant fame, but the 23-year-old has had a great start at all stages of his career. He took four wickets each on his under-15 and under-17 India debuts, and had a three-wicket burst on his first-class debut in 2007 against Bengal. He was fast-tracked into the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team barely two weeks after his 17th birthday on special request from then skipper Mohammad Kaif and coach Gyanendra Pandey, who were impressed by his prodigious swing.
Good boy and bad boy
Bowling along with childhood inspiration Praveen Kumar, who also lived in the same locality, Bhuvneshwar made national headlines for handing Sachin Tendulkar his first duck in domestic cricket, during the Ranji Trophy final in 2008. Uttar Pradesh lost the final but Bhuvneshwar had made his name. "He's an ideal student for any coach. In fact, he doesn't have too many friends outside his cricket circle. I don't remember a day when he missed practice. He's been a home-to-school-to-ground-to-home boy," says coach Sanjeev Rastogi, who groomed him along with Vipin Vats at the Victoria Park academy.
Team India has reasons to feel bullish. The smooth substitution of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli left skipper M.S. Dhoni only with the problem of handling the new ball-and tackling it. This seam bowler and opening batsman duo have fitted in neatly as the final pieces of the jigsaw. "I am just amazed with the way Bhuvneshwar has bowled on these unresponsive pitches. I am excited to think what he will do in conditions where he will get more help," Laxman said during his TV commentary stint. "Shikhar must make this start count," says Rahul Dravid.
Dreams in their eyes
This is a story of Gabbar and Bittu-as Shikhar and Bhuvneshwar are affectionately nicknamed. A story of two young boys from middle-class backgrounds introduced to the game of cricket by their family at the age of 12, who shared a dream of wearing the blue crest on their chest and a passion for fast machines.
Shikhar's passion for spunky bikes started with a yellow Enfield, which he showed off on the streets of Vikaspuri in Delhi. His dream of owning a Rs.25-lakh Hayabusa became a reality after the third IPL where he played for Mumbai Indians. Bhuvneshwar's little Indica car will see a bigger companion very soon-the newly-launched Honda CRV that would be delivered at his home after the Delhi Test.
His three-wicket burst against Pakistan in a T20 match in Bangalore brought Bhuvneshwar instant fame, but the 23-year-old has had a great start at all stages of his career. He took four wickets each on his under-15 and under-17 India debuts, and had a three-wicket burst on his first-class debut in 2007 against Bengal. He was fast-tracked into the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team barely two weeks after his 17th birthday on special request from then skipper Mohammad Kaif and coach Gyanendra Pandey, who were impressed by his prodigious swing.
Good boy and bad boy
Bowling along with childhood inspiration Praveen Kumar, who also lived in the same locality, Bhuvneshwar made national headlines for handing Sachin Tendulkar his first duck in domestic cricket, during the Ranji Trophy final in 2008. Uttar Pradesh lost the final but Bhuvneshwar had made his name. "He's an ideal student for any coach. In fact, he doesn't have too many friends outside his cricket circle. I don't remember a day when he missed practice. He's been a home-to-school-to-ground-to-home boy," says coach Sanjeev Rastogi, who groomed him along with Vipin Vats at the Victoria Park academy.
Acid test awaits
Much of Team India's focus is now on the Champions Trophy in England in June and the Test tour to South Africa in December. Bhuvneshwar, now a constant across all formats, will find it easier given helpful conditions overseas though batsmen would be looking closely at his footage now. It will be more difficult for Shikhar, first to match his incredibly tall Mohali score and then to take on much taller pacemen like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbot and Vernon Philander on bouncy pitches. For a batsman who likes to take the opposition bowling by the scruff of the neck, Shikhar will be severely tested by the short ball, the bane of many Indian batsmen.
In a few days, when ipl begins and they play for different franchises, each will be tearing into the other at the start of the innings. But much as spectators will like that intriguing contest in the shorter format, they would love to see Shikhar and Bhuvneshwar on the same side as Team India begins its journey to the top of Test-playing nations. All over again
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