While second day in the third Test between India and Sri Lanka belonged to Virender Sehwag, who scored a magnificent 284, it was a case of missed opportunities for two youngsters.
Sri Lanka's 22-year-old all-rounder Angelo Mathews missed the chance to register a maiden Test century when he attempted a tight second run and was run-out for 99. On the Indian side, Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay, playing in just his second Test as a replacement for Gautam Gambhir, also looked set for a maiden Test ton before attempting a rash sweep shot and was trapped leg before wicket by Rangana Herath for 87.
Mathews admitted being crestfallen following the run-out.
"I am very much disappointed. A first Test hundred is a big achievement for any cricketer. It was very unfortunate not getting the hundred. I wanted to get a century, but that's how it goes. I thought there were two runs; I creased the bat way into the crease on my first run that was why I got run-out," said Mathews after the end of the day's play in Mumbai on Thursday.
Vijay was more forthright, and slammed his shot selection for his dismissal.
"I think it was a bad shot in that situation. I missed out on a hundred; I missed out on a hundred, I got out at the wrong time! I learnt a lot of things from this match and I won't do this next time," the young opener lamented.
Both, however, were lavish in praise of Virender Sehwag, who smashed 284 in 239 deliveries, laced with 40 boundaries and seven sixes.
Sehwag completed a double century off 168 deliveries to register the second fastest double ton in Test cricket -- his sixth score of two hundred and above -- to underline his credentials as one of the most destructive batsmen of his era.
Vijay said the entire Indian team is hoping Sehwag can now go on to become the first cricketer to get three triple centuries and, maybe, join Brian Lara by scaling the magical 400-mark.
"It was a fantastic innings. You learn a lot of things by watching him play. It is really great and no words enough to describe this great knock. I hope he can carry on and get 400," Vijay said.
India are sitting pretty, having already put up 443 for one in 79 overs to take a 50-run first innings lead after Sri Lanka were dismissed for 393.
Mathews believes Sri Lanka can still comeback from this desperate situation and win their first Test on Indian soil and also level the three-match series 1-1.
"We can comeback from where we are right now. India haven't won this game. It is just a matter of 2-3 wickets early morning and then we can get right back into the game. There are three more days left and anything can happen."
Vijay said it was a great learning experience during his 221-run opening partnership with Sehwag.
"You can just watch him do things with ease and learn a lot of things. This is the learning curve and it is good fun just watching him play. It takes pressure off you, basically, because if you play normal cricket with Sehwag around, you get runs. He always keeps you in a calm state of mind. It is important to keep yourself calm while playing international cricket and he does it and, in a lot of ways, helps me out," he said.
Asked how he played Muttiah Muralitharan so easily despite tackling him for the first time, Vijay replied "I played a lot against Muralitharan in the IPL. I just wanted to play solid because that way I could get some runs. I know he is a great bowler and I just went out looking to play positively."
