Hours of batting at the nets bear fruit for Harbhajan Singh

Diwali day was solely built around the possibility of Sachin Tendulkar reaching his 50th Test century. People at the ground, journalists at the press box, the ground staff, and everyone in the vicinity of Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera had almost forgotten there was a Test match taking place.

However, heartbreak struck 25 minutes prior to lunch when Tendulkar, who faced 86 balls for 27 runs yesterday, drove a half volley that he would have dispatched for a boundary nine out of ten times, straight back to off-spinner Jeetan Patel. Silence in the stands during his walk back to the pavilion summed up the emotions at the arena.

Harbhajan Singh gives it a heave on Day Two of the Ahmedabad Test against NZ yesterday. PIC/AFP How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Dhoni shrugs off illness to take the field› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT