The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
A dance near the boundary
Mahmudullah hasthefeetof a cat, stealthyand sneaky. He backpedaledto consume Shubmangill’s partiallymistimedshotat midwicket, dangerously closetothe boundary. Upon completion, he shiftedtohisleft sidegracefully andeffortlessly sothatthe impetuswould nottakehim overtheropes. Hemaintainedhis balance, ensuringthathedidnot trespassintothespacebeyondthe boundary. Thebeautyof thecatchwas thathedidnotmakeitlooklikeitwas spectacular. Astheballkeptdipping, it seemedthathisfollowthroughmight takehimpasttheboundary. Therewas noneinsightforarelaycatcheither. Butmahmadullahhaduttercontrol overhislimbs, andnotforoncehe lookednervous. Coolandcomposed, Mahmadullahwiththefeetof acat, stealthyandsneaky.
ROHIT'S LOVE for the pull shots is no secret and he is perhaps one of the best exponents in the modern game. But every now and then, he does tend to get out playing it as well.
Today, we saw it in quick succession. A full-blooded pull went for a six but when he tried to roll his wrists a little bit, it went to the fielder.
Itwasgraduationdayforbangladesh openertanzidhasantamim. Partofthe 2019-20under-19worldcupwinning team, Tanzidcameupwithabriefbut fearlessassaultonindiapacer Shardulthakur. His51gave Bangladeshafinestartona battingbeauty. Morethan anything, itwashisaudacious intentstartingwithahooked
6tofineleg, byfunnelingallof Bumrah'spaceintohisswish onthefinaldeliveryofthe7th over. Bumrahhadonlygiven7runsoffhis 3overs, buttanzidissuedthefirstthreatof goingafterthebowlers.
Butitwasagainstthemilitarymedium
AP
Rohit Sharma and the pull shot: a love story
But he has always backed himself with that shot.
He had said after one such frustrating dismissal in a 2021 Test match in England.
"I mean yes you feel disappointed, but you know there is very thin line between getting out like that and that same delivery or same ball, if the catch
Tamim Junior graduates
Thakurthattanzidreallyfreedhisarms, welcominghiminthe10thoverwitha calmdefenseoffthefirstdelivery. There wasnoindicationoftheviolencetofollow, butwhenthakurwentatad shorternextball, Tanzid pouncedonitwithhiswrists clickingintoshapefora heavedpick-upoversquare legfora6asthebangladesh openingpartnership reached50. Hewouldnext stepoutofthecreaseandgo elevatedovermid-onfora4nextball, and hewasn'tdoneyet. Verynextballwith Thakurslumpinginpaceandbowling fuller, Tanzidtimedstunninglysmackingit was slightly away or five yards left and right of the fielder, it could have been either way as well. You got to think positive and that's what my mindset was."
He had a wry smile as he walked away but make no mistake, the next time he sees the ball there to be pulled, he will go for it once again. fora6overextracovertomesswith Thakur'sstartingfiguresashewentfor16 inhisfirst. Thesweetestbludgeonsthough cameasheinchedcloseto50, andheagain wentafterthakurwithaloftedcoverdrive toreach49. Hisinexperienceshowedwhen abreakafterhishalfcenturysawhimlose hisconcentration, andhewentslogging acrossthelinetoafastishflattishkuldeep andendedpluminfront, andthedizzyrun endedat51.
Coachhathurusinghawasaskedabout Tamimiqbal'somissionagainonmatch eve, andsaid,"well, he'snothere." Itwas thejuniortamimthough, whowasin Pune, whobrieflycreasedrohitsharma's forehead, andjangledthakur'sbowling.