BE POSTIVE

Yesterday evening, when Sehwag was asked about the only two possibilities remaining in the test, of Australia’s win and a draw, he refused to entertain the argument that India were out of the match as far as winning was concerned.

Today, just 24 overs bowled by Australia in a session controlled by Sehwag, and run-a-ball innings (from 31 overnight to 100) showed what he meant. There was a time when over 30 runs in the morning session, scored by batsmen, had all come of Sehwag’s blade. That happened when Dravid got injured, and went out, and Tendulkar looked intent on defending for some time, and justifiably so.

The century was simply tremendous, and came in circumstance most mentally testing.

It may have finished the match in the 1st session itself. With India leading by over hundred runs, only a collapse bigger than Sydney can ensure their defeat now.

For the first time in his career, Sehwag reached a three-figure mark in the second innings. That should help him and his fans believe that he is not a Lion in the 1st innings, and Lamb in the second.

If only he had played at Sydney! After Mauling at Melbourne, there were calls from Steve Waugh and Ian Chappell to include him in the test team for Sydney.
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/sehwag-left-out-of-india-team.html

But coming from the Australians, many believed it was a part of their mental disintegration strategy.

In the hindsight, not playing him in the 1st two tests was an opportunity lost. An opportunity to at least draw the series.

Still, today's knock should stand him in good stead for the challenges ahead. For now, it may have stolen away Gilchrist's farewell present!