MOHALI: 3071. That's a huge number, if amount of balls is the reference point. You could fit in a five-Test series and still have more than 300 left to spare. That's the amount Haseeb Hameed faced in the English County Championship for Lancashire in 2016.
Granted that's not the most fashionable parameter to measure the potential of a batsman. Hameed, though, isn't just any random Tom. He has broken more records in the last six months than many English batsmen have in their entire careers.
It includes breaking a 110-year-old milestone during his debut half-century in the first Test in Rajkot. The 82 there was the highest score by an English teenager in Tests. It's important to remember that he's still only 19.
On Tuesday, he handled spinners in trying circumstances like a 29-year-old at the height of his powers. Coming in at No 8, he let Joe Root, who played extremely well for his 78, and Chris Woakes take England past 190. Once last man James Anderson came out, Hameed flicked the switch. He was 23 off 128 when the No 11 walked in.
When the No 11 walked back after getting run out, he was 59 off 156. He hooked Mohammad Shami with disdain, swept R Ashwin like he was a Sunday league bowler and hit Ravindra Jadeja through cow corner like few have ever done. But his greatest ability is judging which ones to leave outside off stump. He has faced a staggering 640 deliveries (first visiting teen face more than 600 balls in India from available records) in his six innings so far.
The last 156 of those on the fourth day here were played with a broken left hand. He took all the care in the world there was a protective cap placed on the glove to ensure he didn't do further damage. During a sweep off Ashwin for a boundary, it fell off. No problem. He put it back on and repeated the treatment to Jadeja three balls later. Nothing to see here. Move on. By the time the visiting batsmen were bowled out, it was obvious Virat Kohli had become a fan. He moved over to the 19-year-old for a pat on the back.
If it was a football match, jerseys would have been exchanged. "He showed great character and maturity," Kohli said during the post match press conference. "He knew exactly what to do and when to do it. And he seems to be a great prospect for England. The innings was pretty good, and you had to applaud it (that's why I went over to congratulate him)."
It's a pity Indian fans, and a fair few gave a standing ovation for him on Tuesday, won't be able to see him anymore as he has been ruled out for the rest of the Tour. "Yes, he has a broken hand," confirmed a downcast Alastair Cook. "He needs a plate, and it's obvious he'll be missing the rest of the series."