Sehwag, a genuine match-winner

When Sehwag gets going, it is almost like watching Richards, writes

L. Sivaramakrishnan


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Almost a year ago, when India toured Australia, Virender Sehwag did not even get to play the first two Test matches. Eventually, he did play the last two matches and he went on to score a century at Adelaide. That seemed to be the turning point for this young man.

Since then 2008 has been a bonanza of runs. When Sehwag gets going, it is almost like watching Viv Richards of the yesteryear.

There is utter disregard for the bowlers and the disdain with which he dispatches the ball is a sight to behold.

When Sehwag hit Paul Collingwood for two consecutive sixes, the bowler confessed later that he was very worried that all the six balls that he bowled would meet the same fate. That is the kind of fear that Sehwag instils in the opposition.

Viru too was very forthright in his opinion. “The bowler might be good” he agreed “but there are always bad balls waiting to be put away.” And when he sees these balls, God forbid anyone standing in the way.

Sehwag is the kind of batsman who wins you matches. His partnership with Sachin Tendulkar at Cuttack made the English target look very ordinary. The blistering attack left the English bowlers floundering.

Kevin Pietersen had to use all his best bowlers to try and contain the carnage. None of it had any effect on Shewag who went on to score a dazzling 91 and Pietersen was left with few bowling choices towards the end.

Uncomplicated


Like his game, Shewag’s view point is uncomplicated. He says things as he sees it.

He does not believe in turning away in the face of opposition. Instead, his policy has always been to take ‘arms against the sea of trouble, and by opposing, end them.’

His interviews stand testimony to this. I once asked him before an interview if there was something in particular that he would like to discuss. He just shook his head and told me “Ask what you wish and I will just answer them the best I can.”

In Bangalore, one could see him at the boundary with the crowds, whistling and cheering his teammates on. Obviously here was a man who was enjoying himself and his game. Contrary to what most people might think, he feels no pressure of vice-captaincy.

Deadly combination


It is this deadly combination of self-belief and the ability to enjoy what he does that tears the opposition apart.

He has a fantastic hand-eye co-ordination. While he earlier was most comfortable with an outside the off-stump line, he is now able to play a middle and off line with equal ease.

As a bowler all you can hope to do, is persist and wait for him to make a mistake.

The problem with a batsman like Sehwag though, is that if he does not make a mistake for an hour, then the game is already out of your hands.