... As comeback duo of Sehwag and Gambhir fail
... As comeback duo of Sehwag and Gambhir fail
With Gautam Gambhir expected to open with just arrived Virender Sehwag in the third Test against England at Edgbaston next week, Abhinav Mukund would not have fancied his chances to be retained in the playing XI.
Abhinav Mukund en route to his century against Northamptonshire yesterday
But yesterday, he helped himself to a hundred against Northamptonshire on Day One of the two-day fixture here.
With Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid rested for the game, the Tamil Nadu batsman, who scored 49 at Lord's lapped up the mediocre attack as if to say he can still be in the scheme of things for Edgbaston.
India sure expected more from Virender Sehwag (8), Gautam Gambhir (18) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2) but the big guns didn't stay long. The much ridiculed Suresh Raina scored 33 but didn't look convincing.
Mukund retired on 113. Raina tried a hook shot but ended up being caught behind off departed while trying to hook Luke Evans.
India ended the day on 327 for seven. The pitch had no demons hence India may not be too pleased with their first on-field workout since the Trent Bridge disaster.
Northants have on their rolls South Africans Andrew Hall, Johan Botha and Chaminda Vaas but the international stars stayed away probably due to their county schedule. Sunday's main attraction could be Zaheer Khan, who will have his first spell since he broke down at Lord's last month.
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