India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning captain has been on the rise, also earning an IPL deal with Delhi Capitals last week

Opening the batting after TN captain Vijay Shankar won the toss and opted to field in the Elite Group H match, Dhull lost opening partner Dhruv Shorey (1) and No. 3 Himmat Singh (first-ball duck) quickly, TN fast bowler Sandeep Warrier sending back both batters. But Dhull forged a 60-run stand for the third wicket with Nitish Rana (25) and then a 119-run partnership with Jonty Sidhu for the fourth wicket, getting to his century in 133 balls when he cut B Aparajith behind point for a couple.

He didn’t last too long after that, though, as he was trapped in front by a full delivery from M Mohammed, the experienced right-arm medium pacer, for 113 off 150 balls. His innings included 18 hits to the boundary.

Mohammed, in fact, could have had Dhull’s number earlier, when he had the batter caught at short midwicket on 97. But it was a no-ball.

“We had two options. Either we bench the kid or we play him wherever a slot is available. We needed an opener and he was told he needs to open. He is not an opener but immediately agreed. These are also traits that you look in a cricketer,” Delhi selector Chaitanya Nanda told PTI.

“You don’t groom players by putting them in the bench. You have to play them. He is a No. 3 player and so opening isn’t a bad option for him. Yes, he will have his failures and teams will start reading him better and more experienced first-class bowlers will have his measure.

“That’s when we as selectors and also elders need to stand by him and help sail through that phase.”