#360view: Patience is key with special Hameed

Ajit Vijaykumar 00:33 01/12/2016
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  • New kid on the block: Haseeb Hameed

    Haseeb Hameed is the darling of the cricketing world at the moment.

    Ever since he caught the eye of the England management, the 19-year-old has been earmarked as a star in the making and a long term batting prospect.

    Hameed’s debut in Rajkot gave proof of his immense potential and his second innings effort in the Mohali Test, where he batted with an injured finger and an altered grip, proved that the teenager is made of stern material. His valiant half century earned the praise of not only the England team but also of the Indians.

    After he walked off the ground following the conclusion of England’s second innings, Indian players walked up to him and congratulated Hameed on his brave effort. Captain Virat Kohli was effusive in his praise of Hameed, calling the youngster an awesome talent who is most likely to become a star batsman in all formats of the game.

    Kohli also lauded the character and maturity Hameed displayed while batting lower down the order and with a serious injury. It is well known that Kohli seldom praises opposition teams or players wholeheartedly. In fact, he has made quite a few headlines for heated exchanges on and off the field.

    For Kohli to talk so highly of a debutant must mean Hameed is truly a special talent. It is difficult to recollect the last time a player elicited such universal admiration at the highest level on his debut. Modern day cricket doesn’t allow for that anymore, unfortunately.

    That Hameed has received it is a great sign for him and the England team. But there is a need to stay cautious. While it is evident Hameed has a strong head on his shoulders, such adulation can add unnecessary pressure on someone who is still very young.

    It has been a great start to a promising career and I have mentioned earlier that Hameed is here to stay. But now it is necessary to let the teenager develop his game and just do what he does on the field, without expecting the moon and beyond from him.

    Also, generally it takes two seasons for a newcomer to be thoroughly tested against every position and in all conditions. There is little doubt that Hameed has the technique and temperament to stand up to the toughest of challenges.

    But we must remember there will be even tougher assignments ahead and Hameed shouldn’t be expected to pass every test with flying colours. Already, one possible flaw in his batting stance has been spotted. He bats ‘low’, which means his head position and top hand are closer to the ground than other batsmen.

    It makes him vulnerable to the ball that bounces higher than expected and he has already paid the price for it, being hit on the hand by pacer Umesh Yadav which ended his India tour. He will most likely work on it and make certain tweaks but that shows he is still a work in progress and not the finished product.

    Hameed is one of the finest young talents to emerge in recent times. It is now up to the England team and management to ensure his stays on the path of constant improvement and doesn’t get distracted by all the praise that is being heaped on him.

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