Mumbai Coach says Haseeb Hameed would have got a century at Wankhede

Teenage English batsman Haseeb Hameed was eager to play a Test match in Mumbai and his family had also made prior arrangements to witness the boy play against India at the Wankhede Stadium the venue for the 4th Test of the ongoing five-match Test series but due to the thumb injury which he sustained during the 3rd Test against India, he has been forced to fly back to England to undergo a surgery on his injured hand.

It was only last year when Hameed had visited Mumbai to fine-tune his batting skills under the watchful eyes of Mumbai coach Vidyadhar Paradkar. Hameed worked very hard on his batting and played a few practise matches at the Cross Maidan.

“It’s really unfortunate that Haseeb won’t play at Wankhede due to injury. He is playing with great temperament and I was confident that he would surely score his first Test century here,” Paradkar told mid-day yesterday.

“But it’s just bad luck to him and his family as they had already booked rooms in a hotel near the stadium to enjoy the Mumbai Test,” Paradkar added. “I hardly go to the stadium to watch a match. But this time, I had planned to go to see how Haseeb performed against India on the Wankhede track. Now I’ll stay at home and watch it on television,” Haseeb’s Mumbai coach added.

Words of praise from Trevor Bayliss

Meanwhile, England coach Trevor Bayliss was impressed with Hameed’s dedication as he is still reluctant to leave for England despite injuring his hand badly and neither is his family in a mood to fly back home.

“He wants to stay and play the last two Tests. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wants to stay, and his old man said ‘Just tape it up — he’ll be alright.’ Not only can he play, but it’s great to see an attitude like that,” Bayliss said.

Hameed was initially hurt during the 2nd Test and his injury aggravated after being hit on the same spot in the Mohali Test. He had been working hard in the net session only to find a way to bat without using the finger on his top hand.

“There’s plenty of other guys who have got hit and make a big song and dance about it,” said Bayliss.