3rd Test: Shikhar Dhawan scores fastest-ever debut ton as India race to 283/0

MOHALI: His arms aloft after scoring a breathtaking debut century, Shikhar Dhawan acknowledged the crowd and his teammates, twirled his moustache and allowed himself a smile. It hadn't sunk in yet, but he had climbed a monumental peak, playing a dominating, stroke-filled knock and sending the Aussie bowlers running for cover. Dhawan (batting on 185; 168 balls; 33x4, 2x6) hit the fastest Test century on debut, off just 85 balls, as India reached 283 for no loss at stumps on Day Three of the Mohali Test, in reply to Australia's first-innings total of 408. Dhawan's opening partner Murali Vijay was more sedate but rock solid, batting on 83 at stumps. Such was the impact of Dhawan's knock that it completely overshadowed Australia's commendable effort to get to 408 in their first innings. India's run-rate for most part of the innings was more than five runs per over, rarely seen in this format. A century in a single session is again a rarity. What happened in Mohali after the lunch session was nothing short of spectacular. To sum it up, India didn't miss Virender Sehwag. In what should please both selectors and the team management, Dhawan showed the confidence of a Test match veteran, not a debutant. The self-belief came from his long, hard grind in the domestic arena and it was apparent Dhawan wanted to make maximum use of this opportunity. The Delhi lad was assured at the crease, his feet movement exemplary. He didn't mind stepping down the track to the spinners and if there was anything remotely short, he rocked on to the back foot and took full toll. Some of his cover drives were memorable, but the 27-year-old also played every other shot in the book — sweep, reverse sweep, slog sweep and the full gamut of textbook cricketing shots. Dhawan got ample support at the other end as Murali Vijay, who is approaching his own three-figure mark, gave the major quota of the strike to Dhawan. However, when the opportunity was there, Vijay also hit quite a few strokes, taking on the spinners. India scored 153 runs in the session between lunch and tea, then went on to add another 127 in the post-tea session. Earlier in the morning session, the Aussie tailenders showed spunk, helping the side cross the 400-run mark. Steve Smith (92) fell short of three figures but the surprise package was Mitchell Starc, who played like a proper batsman and frustrated the Indian bowlers. Starc fell just one short of a well-deserved hundred, though, with Ishant Sharma setting him up beautifully with some away-going deliveries.   TOI