The opening day of the fourth Test at the Wankhede Stadium was one of mixed emotions for Haseeb Hameed, with the 19-year-old England opener, whose tour of India was cut short by a broken finger, looking on from the stands while his replacement chalked up a century on debut.
Hameed’s delight for Keaton Jennings was evident – he described the Durham left-hander’s emergence as “great for English cricket” – but it was also tinged with disappointment given the fourth Test was the match he had been looking forward to the most.
Mumbai is where a significant part of Hameed’s cricketing education took place, having travelled there at the age of 14 to be taught by Vidyadhar Paradkar, a low-profile coach in the south of the city who was a friend of his father, Ismael, but also counts internationals Zaheer Khan and Ajinkya Rahane among his pupils.
The broken finger Hameed suffered during the third Test defeat in Mohali – he returned home briefly to have a metal plate inserted before returning to join his family – robbed him of this second homecoming but nevertheless, as Jennings crunched India’s attack to all parts during an impressive introduction, Hameed remained upbeat. “It’s mixed emotions,” he said. “I’m very happy for the lads and Keaton to make a convincing start is great for him and great for English cricket.
“I’ve played against him a few times and it’s great to see the way he’s gone about his business. It’s no different to the way he’s played in county cricket. I got told to just go out there and play my game, and that’s the message that’s come across to him as well.
“As a cricketer you want to be the one performing. I’m sure there’s something better in store for me because of this injury. I’m a big believer in tough times bring out the best in you.”
Hameed need not fret over his place, with the emergence of Jennings already pointing to England’s top-three order being the long-term beneficiary in a move that could see Joe Root move down to his best position at No4.
His performances will not be forgotten either, having made 82 in Rajkot and a gutsy unbeaten half-century from No8 during his injury-afflicted final innings, while one of the images of the tour was Hameed meeting his childhood hero, Virat Kolhi, once the end of his involvement had been confirmed.
Hameed said: “Kohli is probably the most sought after man in world cricket at the minute but I didn’t want to miss that opportunity. I took Moeen Ali with me and within a couple of minutes he came out. I was just trying to get an insight into the way he goes about his business and what he thinks. That’s what sets him apart from other players.
“I was just trying to get into his mind as much as anything. A lot of people see him as this aggressive, borderline arrogant sort of person on the field but I think it’s pure passion and his desire to win that comes out.”
Hameed will continue England’s tour as a supporter before an expected return to batting at Lancashire in eight weeks’ time. “The first thing that stands out [from county cricket] is the intensity goes up another level. Every time I went out to bat I felt more comfortable. I wouldn’t say I felt overawed and a lot of credit must go to the environment the lads have created, both the management and the players.”
