The weekend that almost wasn't.....

Motivation comes in many forms. Apparently, for Dhruv, it comes in the form of being publicly written off.The Canes had a strong presence over the weekend. One name, however, was conspicuously missing from the team board.

Dhruv.

He had, somewhat reluctantly, sacrificed cricket for the greater good of family chores. A noble act, no doubt. But when the team has lost three on the trot, a player deciding to disappear is not exactly greeted with a standing ovation.

My exact message on the team group was:

“Oi Dhruv!! Anyway, our winning percentage goes up now.”

Thursday. Silence.

Friday. Complete silence.

Then the man decides to stride into the maidaan on Saturday like the Colossus of Rhodes, except with a cricket bat and considerably less architectural stability.

If Saturday was the preview, Sunday was the full-blown IMAX experience.

Dhruv walked in when the scorecard was, at best, pottering along. And then proceeded to launch it into the stratosphere.

Consecutive 50s. A maidaan record.

And enough runs to ensure the Canes crossed 150 on both days. Or almost. We did play 15 today, so let's not get carried away.

But Dhruv, my man, you are no horse with no name anymore.

You are now a pedigree Stallion.

And that on the up boundary through long off today?

Special.

So special that even the man who plays the shot with glorious regularity had his own jaw drop in appreciation. That's when you know you've pulled off something ridiculous.

So enjoy the weekend, Stallion.

And please bring more of this.

The Canes have apparently discovered that your batting is considerably more useful than your family chores.