A century (hundred runs) is special to any cricketer and it is more delightful and memorable if it is achieved in the very first match of the first class career.
Nineteen-year-old middle order batsman G. Chiranjeevi from Visakhapatnam made history when he notched up his maiden first class hundred by slamming an unbeaten 105 against Services at New Delhi thus emerging the third batsmen from Andhra Cricket Association to score a century on debut. The other two are Md. Rehman and Bharat Singh Naik.
Rehman scored against Tamil Nadu at Vizianagaram in 1985-86 while Bharat Singh crossed the magic figure against Karnataka in Bangalore in 1993-94 season.
The teenager's feat is laudable as the milestone was achieved on alien land under trying conditions.
“Before my debut I scored 156 against Bengal in the under-22 match at Kolkata and that knock paved way for my entry into the Ranji team,” said the youngster, who began playing cricket from 2003.
Three tons
Last season was fruitful for the youngster as he cracked three centuries in the junior grade cricket. “I scored hundreds against Goa, and Jammu and Kashmir in the under-22 segment and another one against J & K in the under-19 category.”
Straight bat
Chiranjeevi, though a middle order batsman, is not averse to play anywhere in the batting order, according to the demands of the team. “I love to spend more time in the middle. I like to play in the ‘V' and keep the ball down,” said the Bullaiah College student. Chiranjeevi made his mark by cementing his place in the State u-13, 16, 19 and 22 teams before graduating to the Ranji team. “His is a bright prospect for Andhra. He has a cool head on his frail shoulders,” said coach Vincent Vinay Kumar.
