Date:13/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/13/stories/2009011360641700.htm

Sport - Cricket

A dream come true, says Bhuvneshwar

Principal Correspondent

— PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

HYDERABAD: Uttar Pradesh’s bowling hero, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, says that it has been a realisation of a long dream to take Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket.

Speaking to the media after his five-wicket haul against Mumbai on the first day in the Ranji Trophy final here on Monday, Bhuvneshwar reminded that there was no specific plan to get the prized wicket.

“I just tried to bowl to a length and was not trying anything extra on a pitch which did help the bowlers in the morning session because of the moisture. But by all means, Sachin’s wicket was the great moment which I would cherish for a long time.”

This rookie fast bowler from Meerut was not really disappointed to know that he doesn’t figure in the Central Zone squad for Duleep Trophy despite a very successful Ranji season.

“That is not in my hands. I just want to keep performing consistently,” he added.

For his part, Mumbai centurion Rohit Sharma rated his innings as one of the best he had ever played given the circumstances under which it had come and thanked U.P. captain Mohd. Kaif for dropping him twice.

“Not very often do you see a fielder of his calibre do that,” he remarked.

“The ball was doing a bit because of early morning moisture and to their credit the U.P. bowlers bowled in the right areas. Bhuvneshwar was fantastic and to get a five-wicket haul in Ranji final is really remarkable,” were his comments on the day’s play.