The fastest Test century on debut by India opener Shikhar Dhawan failed to attract the fans here as not many spectators turned out to watch the scintillating innings unfold against Australia during the third day of the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium today.
Dhawan piled up 100 runs off just 85 balls to hit the fastest ever hundred on debut.
At stumps, the Delhi dasher was unbeaten on 185, while Murali Vijay was batting at 83 as the duo helped India make a strong reply, reaching 283 for no loss in their first innings after bowling out Australia for 408 on the third day of the third Test here today.
Despite India batting through major part of the day after earlier bowling out the Aussies, the fan attendance was below expectations on a weekend, with many stands having only had a handful of fans watching the contest while several seats in other stands went empty.
"I had just come to watch a session, but the way Dhawan batted, I think I got more than my money's worth. A century being scored by a debutant in just a session is amazing. I think more people should have come to watch, those who say Test cricket is boring should have been here today," said Ishaan Gupta.
Stuart, an Australian fan from Sydney, said that Australia had played well in the first innings in this match, but the way 27-year-old Dhawan smashed his way to an unbeaten 106 off a mere 90 balls, threatens to take the match away from the visitors.
Like Ishaan, he too said that he was expecting a much more fan attendance here.
While the opening day of the third Test here was washed out due to rain, the fan attendance was also very thin yesterday.
Dhawan hit 33 fours and two sixes in his unfinished knock which came off 168 balls.
