The ballad of Vinay Kumar

The Indian team went down under
with what was their best chance
for Sachin to dominate a young attack
and Laxman to rekindly his Aussie-romance.
Vinay Kumar was the extra seamer
who no one thought would play a Test. 


The team started off well in Melbourne, 
but could not deliver the killer blow. 
Then after a pounding from pup, 
they headed to Perth down two-O. 
They sized up the pitch at Perth and said, 
"Let's play Vinay Kumar in this Test." 


On a juicy first-day pitch 
the Indian batting collapsed in a heap. 
Warner had already got a start when 
Vinay arrived at the bowling crease. 
And thus began the story 
of Vinay Kumar playing his first Test.


In the first over of his debut 
he met the flashing blade of Warner,
who duly deposited a good length ball
to the WACA's furthest corner. 
No, this was not the IPL, 
Vinay Kumar was playing a Test. 


He tried to rely on swing and seam 
while bowling steadily at 120, 
but to the Aussies it was canon fodder 
and he disappeared for plenty. 
Was it a wise decision, after all 
to play Vinay Kumar in this Test? 


On a frentic second morning 
he picked up a wicket, 
As a shortish ball was chopped to gully 
and he had the scalp of Mr. Cricket. 
Was there a redemption story in the making 
for Vinay Kumar in his first Test? 


Although there was a hint of a fight 
the Aussies won their third in a row. 
And 11 runs and an expensive wicket 
were all Vinay had to show. 
It did not make a difference 
playing Vinay Kumar in this Test. 


He was dropped for the last match 
as the Indians lost again. 
And you couldn't help but feel 
that he would never get another game.
And thus ended the sad story, 
of Vinay Kumar and his lone Test.


The batsmen could not bat 
and the bowlers could not bowl. 
The fielders had butter fingers 
and Dhoni lost control. 
Yet, the lowest point of the tour 
was that Vinay Kumar played a Test.