Consistent Hebbar grabs attention

In his team’s first match against TN, opener Ashwin clobbered 140 off 123 balls that consisted of 10 fours and seven sixes, of which two landed outside the ground. In company with his equally belligerent skipper Ricky Bhui, Hebbar shared an exhilarating 209 runs for the third wicket as Andhra piled up a mammoth score of 406. 

Just a day later, Hebbar carried his bat through with a dazzling unbeaten 137 that enabled his team chase down a huge target of 325 against Karnataka with more than five overs to spare. The talking point of his stupendous knock was how he was unsparing in punishing any loose delivery and such was his audacity that even the good balls didn’t go unpunished. 

Striking from the sweet spot of the bat, he looked completely at ease on both sides and he mostly dealt in boundaries as he smote 13 fours and four sixes in a chanceless knock. 

“Although I walk out to the pitch with the intent of dominating the bowlers, there is a method to my madness. I choose my spots and then make sure that I launch a calculated assault. I don’t adopt half-measures. More often than not, it has worked for me. 

And I intend to keep it going that way,” said the 22-year-old with a touch of confidence. Hebbar has been in sublime form since the turn of the year as he scored two half-centuries against Goa and Kerala in a winning cause in the South Zone Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. 

“What makes me happy is that my performances have contributed to my team’s success. I made meaty scores of 52 against Goa and followed it up with 64 against a strong Kerala bowling line-up. I also bowl medium pace and have earned the reputation of breaking partnerships,” added Hebbar. 

The opener in Hebbar had to vacate that slot and move down to middle order in the longer format but he was up for the challenge and made it count highlighting his versatility. 

“In last season’s opening Ranji match against Tamil Nadu at Chepauk, B Sumanth and I shared a vital 118-run stand for the sixth wicket to take the first innings lead. That innings made me realise the importance of valuing my wicket and the need to cut down on my shots and build the innings. I’m working on my consistency in all formats,” remarked Hebbar.