Having made a century on debut against Kerala, Hemant Kumar must have been keen to sink his teeth immediately into other unsuspecting first class attacks. But his next opportunity came over three months later when the knockout phase of the Ranji Trophy got underway in March. Tamil Nadu were handed a home engagement against Delhi in the prequarters; the venue was shifted to the lush green IIT-Chemplast ground since Chepauk was getting ready to host the third Test between India and Australia.

On a wicket that portended to be a bland shirtfront, Tamil Nadu won the toss and elected to take first strike. Openers Sriram and Badrinath added 70 for the first wicket before both fell in the space of four balls. Striding out at his usual No.3, Hemant was loath to squander an opportunity that beckoned. The Delhi attack boasted the heavy duty presence of Amit Bhandari, Robin Singh jr, Rahul Sanghvi and Virender Shewag, but none could make an impression on the 21-year-old.

Hemant compiled successive century stands with Sharath and Madanagopal en route to a second century in two innings, coming off 191 balls and studded with 12 boundaries and a six. Having closed out the day on 108, he failed to build on that foundation, being caught off Virender Shewag for 121 on the second day. But Tamil Nadu hoisted a score of 592, boosted by an unexpected century from No.11 Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan.

The figure was a little too imposing for Delhi's strokemakers to challenge. The visitors were dismissed early on the fourth day for 365 but despite a lead of 227 behind them, Tamil Nadu skipper Robin Singh decided to rub it in by batting a second time and shutting out all avenues. Both Tamil Nadu openers flattered to deceive again, being run out in quick successon. That brought Hemant and Sharath together once more. In the first innings they had raised 106 in tandem; on this occasion they were slightly more run hungry, knocking up 207 for the third wicket.

With the confidence of two centuries behind him, Hemant blossomed out to play a more adventurous knock than he is accustomed to. His fifty came up in just 90 balls and he was well on course to a third ton in a row. On 87, a figure associated with ill luck, Hemant stepped out to Shewag in a bellicose gesture but having played down the wrong line, he slipped to scupper any chance of returning safely even as Pradeep Chawla whipped off the bails.

Tamil Nadu finally set their opponents a daunting target of 743 in 38 overs which they understandably failed to procure. Gaining entry into the quarterfinals on the basis of their massive first innings lead, Tamil Nadu came a cropper against Baroda. Having crossed 500 in either innings against Delhi, the batsmen were expected to mow down all opposition but instead folded up meekly.

Hemant's second innings 56 was the highest individual score for Tamil Nadu in the entire game. It was journey's end for him, but with 374 runs at 74.80, and a place at the head of the Tamil Nadu batting averages, Hemant had issued notice of a phenomenal talent for the future.