When Javagal Srinath, nursing an injury to his right index finger, came out to bat one handed in the second innings of the first Test against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium, pundits scratched their heads in bewilderment. What was the Indian fast bowler and indeed the Indian think tank trying to achieve?

©AFP

When Srinath came to the wicket, India were 216/9. At that time their lead was a mere 43 runs. Was Srinath sent out in the hope that he might stick around long enough to seriously increase the Indian lead? As it happened three runs were added and Srinath was out to the eighth ball he received for a duck.

Sourav Ganguly is going through very difficult times right now. His batting has let him down badly. When the combination of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist made merry at the expense of the Indian spinners, the captain did little to stem the torrent of runs. Why then did he choose to expose India's pace spearhead in this manner? That's a question only Ganguly can answer.

To put it in perspective, let us take a trip down memory lane and examine a few other instances when players were injured and came in to bat using just one hand. Probably the first recorded instance of a player batting with one hand was Hon. LH Tennyson who made 63 and 36 for England against Australia at Leeds in July 1921. Tennyson earlier sustained an injury in his left hand while fielding. When he came out to bat he made these runs virtually using only his right hand.

The second instance, equally famous occurred in June 1963, in the Lord's Test match between England and West Indies. Colin Cowdrey, who had his left arm fractured and in a cast and sling came to the wicket with two balls left to be bowled. Fortunately for Cowdrey, the last two deliveries, sent down by Wesley Hall, were negotiated by David Allen. All Cowdrey had to do was be out in the middle. On that occasion, England needed six runs to win when Cowdrey joined Allen and the West Indies needed just one wicket. The match was ultimately drawn with Allen blocking the last two balls.

The third instance of a batsman playing one handed was in the Leeds Test in July 1984 played between England and West Indies. Malcolm Marshall came out to the face the English attack with a double fractured left thumb sustained while trying to stop a Chris Broad stroke at point earlier in the match. Coming in at number eleven, Marshall helped Larry Gomes go from 96 to 104. Marshall himself made four. Amazingly enough, bowling with his good hand Marshall claimed 7/53 in the second innings and helped West Indies take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series.

In all the above instances, players coming in have made a significant difference to the proceedings - either saving a match, helping a team mate reach a century or scoring runs himself.

Srinath did none of the above. All he did was embarrass himself and highlight the conditions of the Indians, struggling against superior opposition. What's more, he presented Glenn McGrath with the easiest Test wicket in his career! The form the Aussies are in, the Indians can ill afford to present them with gifts or indulge in mock heroics.

A look at the ball by ball commentary on CricInfo reinforces the 'humour' in the situation:

91.4 Gillespie to Srinath, no run, on target, defends in the most awkward way with the bat held in one hand

91.5 Gillespie to Srinath, no run, short ball, well directed bounce just outside the off stump, moves across and bends down

91.6 Gillespie to Srinath, no run, Srinath moves well across and lets the ball go past his pads, but the ball was away from off stump too

92.3 McGrath to Srinath, no run, moves well away and tries to make contact somehow with one hand, the ball just mises the off stump

92.4 McGrath to Srinath, no run, short ball, directed on him, moves away and tries to defend with one hand, misses again

92.5 McGrath to Srinath, no run, excellent stuff from Srinath. right on target yorker from McGrath, defends it with one hand

92.6 McGrath to Srinath, no run, this time moves away and does not take the right hand from the bat, also does not play at it, the ball flies harmlessly outside the off stump

94.1 McGrath to Srinath, OUT: slowish ball, concentrates on accuracy, Srinath moves away and as usual tries to defend with one hand holding the bat, misses this time and the stumps are shattered

© CricInfo