Sri Lanka vs India 2017, 1st Test: I Was Disappointed To Not Reach The Three Figures – Abhinav Mukund

Jul 29, 2017 at 11:02 AM

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Sri Lanka vs India 2017, 1st Test: I Was Disappointed To Not Reach The Three Figures – Abhinav Mukund

It has been over six years since Abhinav Mukund made his Test debut but the left-handed batsman is still struggling to cement his spot in the playing eleven.

An impressive knock of 49 against a red-hot England attack at Lord’s in 2011 had raised hopes but the Tamil Nadu opener managed to only one more Test in the next six years.

After scoring consistently for years in the domestic circuit, he was recalled to the Test team earlier this year for the four-match series against Australia. As expected, he was not included in the playing eleven, as Murali Vijay and KL Rahul were going strong at the top.

However, an injury to Vijay gave Mukund a chance to prove himself when he was included in the playing eleven for the second Test in Bengaluru but he failed to justify the selection, scoring 0 and 16.

But despite the poor show, he was retained in the team for the ongoing series in Sri Lanka and once again squandered a chance to impress the management when he got out for just 12 in the first innings in Galle.

Credits: AFP

And with time running out for him, the 27-year-old finally played a good knock in the second innings before it ended in a heartbreak, as he fell 19 runs short of compiling his maiden Test century. His knock, nevertheless, has put India in the driver’s seat, as the world number one Test side extended its lead to a massive 498 runs after finishing day 3 on 189 for three.

Speaking after the day’s play, Mukund said he is just focusing on making the chances count at the time being instead of feeling bad for being the reserve opener. He also said that he was delighted with his fielding efforts which gave him the confidence before the second innings before expressing his disappointment over missing the chance to score the century.

“When I have the opportunity to do well in this Test, I am focusing on that and not thinking ahead. Being the first choice or the second choice doesn’t make a difference. What matters is taking the opportunity and scoring runs,” he said.

“The catch and the run out gave me a lot of confidence. I have worked really hard in the off-season. So I wanted to improve on my close-in fielding and batting. I was disappointed that it didn’t come off in the first innings. Sometimes how much ever you work hard in the nets, you get out. It’s fine as I came back stronger, had a decent day but was disappointed to get out on 81 and not reach the three figures. But I am happy to be out in the middle and playing for India,” he added.

He also said that the pitch is likely to assist India’s spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the second innings.

“When the ball gets hold I thought there was assistance for Dilruwan Perera. There was a bit of turn towards the end of the day. There were a couple of others which skidded as well. But I think Ashwin and Jadeja will get more assistance than day 2. There will be a lot more discussion,” he said.

Also Read: (Virat Kohli completes his 17th Test century at Galle)

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