A Bull Even in Bearish Phase!

What a pity. Sehwag deserved to break Brian Lara’s record for his sheer audacious stroke-play and remarkable confidence. Still, to be counted among the holy trinity – other two being Bradman and Lara – as the only cricketers to have surpassed 300 runs twice should be counted as a truly historic event in Indian cricket.

For last seven years, Sehwag has represented the breed of new Indians. Prepared to take career-threatening risks to promote that very career. He has been bullish all along – whatever be the stakes, whatever be his stock, and whichever be the opposition.

Strange that this man averages above 50 and still finds criticism coming his way after every few failures. Contrasts this with someone like Fleming, who finished his test career averaging just 40 and still gets more respect for his technique. Come on, technique is a very vague concept in modern day cricket, which has become all about scoring runs. Crowd come to watch Chauke, Chakke, and not one good leave after another. Dravid played his part yesterday, but was never appreciated. One only has to see three quick wickets falling today morning to assess his contribution. But that is today’s cricket, and Sehwag fits in perfectly.

Agreed that Sehwag has scored most of his runs in conditions tailor made for batsmen. But then one must also not lose of the fact he was almost pushed into opening just to break into a batting side which boasted of stars like Tendulkar, Dravid, Sourav and Laxman. And one must not forget his two great series in Australia including the one in 2003-04, when he opened with such distinction with Aakash Chopra.

One must acknowledge that Sehwag has done what even a great like Laxman could not do -- open with success. That will be the best way to appreciate what makes him what he is.

Just think of India in this match without Sehwag. Probably South Africa would have been batting this time, and thinking of what target to set for India on the fourth evening. He stole that satisfaction.

Sehwag's terrible miss on day of Irfan's hits

(in Jest!)

No. We are not talking about Sehwag’s inability today to take advantage of the life given by Hussey.

Instead, here we are talking about Sehwag’s failure to respond to Brett Lee, when, after hitting Irfan on shoulder, the Aussie paceman was trying to enter into a chat with him once again about the pace of Perth.

The swashbuckling opener, who never lets go an opportunity to hit a loose ball, should have responded to this loose talk by requesting Lee to be friend with him as well. It would have been ideal had he said, “You seem to be very friendly with our bowlers. Why aren't you trying to be friends with me now? I'm a bowler, as well (Even though part-time).'

Remember Symonds words to Harbhajan, after he had touched Lee.

"You seem to be very friendly with our bowlers. Aren't you trying to be friends with me now? I'm a bowler, as well’’, that is how Tendulkar had recalled the conversation, while adding that it was just one of those things.

India have Australia by the scruff of the neck

And they can thank the inspired selection of Sehwag and Irfan for it.

But for the initial thrust provided by Sehwag in both the innings, and two critical breakthroughs given by Irfan in first few overs, probably Australia would have been holding the initiative at Perth.

In fact, that was anticipated at the time of writing this post during the warm up match at Canberra.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/if-india-have-to-get-in-sehwag-this-is.html

Irfan and Sehwag were also the integral part of the team suggested in this blog even before Canberra match, though the ideal thing would have been to have five bowlers and six batsmen.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/time-to-talk-cricket-and-opening.html

Still, it is India who have Australia by the scruff of the neck. You do not get too many opportunities of Taming the Kangaroos. So India must get them fast, by totaling in excess of 400. That should be an impossible fourth innings target on this pitch.

What not to expect from Perth's encounter

1) Do not expect Sehwag to click for sure. This missile nicknamed Tendulkar of Nazafgarh, can fail as well. He is in because just one very good innings from him has the potential to give India the kind of dream start they are looking for, and get back into the series. Too much expectations will put pressure on him, which could only be counter productive. He is just one of the eleven players in the team.

2) Do not expect India to win, and take the series ‘alive’ to Adelaide. Though be prepared to get surprised if the Indian bowlers just bowl good line and length and let the pace and bounce of the pitch do the rest. Tit for Tait will not be the right policy.

3) Do not expect Dravid to open again. Either Karthik or Jaffer will partner Sehwag. Having Dravid open in the first test was a big mistake, and it was his sheer class which saved the day for him at Sydney. Regular opening combo will also put some order into the batting order

4) Do not expect India to play five bowlers. But it will be good if they are bold enough to go with five bowlers – three pacers and two spinners. To be adventurous is the best policy against the Aussie, as you need more firepower to dismiss Australia twice, and cheaply.

5) Do not expect too much bad blood. Harmonious race relations will be the order of the day. Even losers will be seen smiling, just to ensure that the things do not spiral out of control. Perth should be the perfect photo opportunity for the Cricketing Doves.
But do expect millions of Indians to be rooting for team India tomorrow, hoping for every one of them to be a perfect hit.

'If India have to get in Sehwag, this is the time'

Seeing a rampaging Sehwag in action, that was the opinion of Ian Chappell. Sehwag was on 46 then and, just to vindicate the past master, reached his fifty in a most authentic way with a cracking four. His half-century coming off just 37 deliveries.

Contrast this with Karthik’s sedate knock at this stage, when he had barely reached double figures. But as part of the opening combination, he played his role to perfection, also laying a strong claim for the opener’s slot. The choice right now looks to be between Sehwag-Jaffer or Sehwag-Karthik Combo.

Ideally, considering the way he has performed against the real Australian attack in the first two tests, Jaffer may not be the best choice for Perth, and a fresh approach with new pair of openers could be the need of the hour.

Interestingly, when asked during the second day’s play about Sehwag, Chappell had said that despite Sehwag’s 24 to Jaffer’s 92 in the 1st innings, if he had to choose between the two, he would still love to go in with Sehwag.

This is because the Nawab of Nazafgarh has the potential to make the Australians ‘nervous'. He can change the complexion of the game in no time, said Chappell.

At the time of writing this post, Sehwag had completed his hundred, with the next fifty coming in 36 balls – one less than his first. The partnership, at the time of his century, was 145 runs and still going strong.

But even if Sehwag had not made a hundred, he would still have been an automatic choice for Perth simply for the way he played today. He did appear at his very best.

Whether Sehwag will succeed there or not, that is another matter. But for now, he looks to be the one who will surely open at Perth.

Sehwag Left out of India Team?

If this report in India Times is correct, and not a part of retaliatory media war by India, then one fears that India are already on the backfoot.

The report says that ''India batsman Virender Sehwag has been left out of the playing eleven whereas Zaheer Khan's fitness might make him sit out as well in the second Test against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday''.

The report adds ''In spite of constant advices by cricket legends, India skipper Anil Kumble chose to opt out Sehwag from playing eleven.''

Blog's take:
The legends included Steve Waugh and Javagal Srinath. Though they had advocated Sehwag-Dravid Combo, Sehwag could have only come in Yuvraj's place, making it Sehwag-Jaffer Combo.

About the team's composition, we will know for sure in few hours from now as last minute changes do happen. But if Sehwag is not there, India will certainly be on the backfoot.

One, India will not have a regular opening pair for the second consecutive time.

Second, Dravid will be forced to play as opener, which makes him vulnerable once again.

Third, Laxman at number three on overseas pitches does not inspire much confidence.

Hopefully, there will be a rethink on Sehwag.

With Zaheer gone, one believes there will not be much difference. After all, the first few wickets in both the innings were taken by the spinners at Melbourne!

Sehwag-Dravid Combo finds one more supporter

With India gearing up for a do-or-die battle at Sydney which begins less than 24 hours from now, the call to have Sehwag partnering Dravid is gaining momentum.

After Steve Waugh (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/steves-team-will-have-sehwag-partnering.html), Javagal Srinath has asked the team management to let Sehwag partner Dravid at the top in a match, which India simply can’t afford to lose.

‘’Given the nature of the surface at the SCG, Sehwag and Rahul should be opening the innings. Sehwag was not only a great hit with the bat on the last tour, but can be very handy with the ball, on a turner like SCG,’’ writes Srinath in his column by Hawkeye/Chivach Sports.

Srinath is convinced that ‘’At present, Rahul needs an aggressive opening partner to complement his style of batting.’’

Sehwag should be happy indeed. If he gets in and scores, there won’t be a better new year gift for him and the Indian Contingent. His selection in that case will turn out to be as inspirational as Ganguly’s inclusion in the Test team for South Africa at the fag end of 2006.

In between, there were two adverse developments for the Indian squad, gearing up to take on Australia.

India’s best batsman in the 1st Test, Ganguly is down with fever though the team management believes that he will be fit in time for the second test. One does recall seeing Ganguly in discomfort during India’s second innings. Hopefully, he will have recovered sufficiently to bat for long if India are to bat first tomorrow. They simply can’t afford to lose a batsman in form.

The second bad piece of news has been the nature of the pitch. In a story titled ‘’Pacy strip confuses India,’’ the Times of India says ‘’the virgin wicket at the SCG is not quite a spinners’ paradise, but has a bit of grass no it and the ball will carry nicely to the wicketkeeper,’’

However, the nature of the pitch should concern only the Indians who are banking heavily on their best attack, which comprises two spinners. The Australians will hardly be bothered, as they have form as well momentum going on their side.

Steve's Team will have Sehwag partnering Dravid

Steve Waugh may be voicing the opinion of many people who saw Jaffer's flop show at Melbourne. He did look to be the fish out of water as he kept fishing at deliveries going outside the off-stump. The former Australian captain is in favour of one more chance for Dravid-the-opener, who could be a perfect foil to Sehwag.

http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2007/dec/31waugh.htm

However, it looks unlikely that India could see any opening combination apart from Jaffer-Dravid or Jaffer-Sehwag. If an opener has to go, then it will only be the makeshift opener in Dravid. They are likely to give at least one more chance to Jaffer as opener.

Meanwhile, the Indian Team management has denied reports in the Australia media that there was unhappiness about Yuvraj's attitude. Their denial should also be a lesson for the home media that such reports should be lapped up only after verification with the person concerned. At least, have 'no comment' or 'failure to reach' from them. Do not allow yourself to be used by the Australian media (if Rajput is right).

http://www.cricket365.co.za/story/0,18305,14005_3012859,00.html

If You do not score, Australia will score

‘’India would have never been at six after nine overs had Sehwag been there’’

Basically, the commentators were describing Sehwag’s ability to take the bull by the horn after India’s very defensive start, which saw them make just six runs in first nine overs, while losing Jaffer’s wicket at the same time.

Worse, India would have been staring disaster at 6 for two, had Dravid been lapped up by Jaques, or been caught off a legitimate ball by Hayden.

With a player like Sehwag, fireworks are guaranteed, and that is the only sureshot way of putting Australia on the defensive. For records, Australia were 36 for none after ten overs while India were just six for one at the similar stage.

Sure, you have to eschew some strokes initially, as many players including great Tendulkar will testify, but that does not mean not making runs at all. Dravid would have been out without scoring off 19 balls and then 33 balls. His first runs, a two, came after he had played a good 40 deliveries just defending.

Sure, Sehwag is not in the best of form but if you have the confidence to take him to Australia, have confidence to have in the playing eleven as well. The Australian aggression can’t be met by defense alone.

Dravid is still best suited at number three. He looked so uncomfortable as opener. Even if he makes some runs, it will only be thanks to all the chances he got.

Dravid may not open in Boxing day test?

It looks highly unlikely but that is what the Times of India is saying quoting PTI.

Unfortunately, this source journalism has a problem that there is never any quote with a name. Whose thinking, what thinking -- is always in realm of dispute.

The report says ''Till the start of the three-day game against Victoria on Thursday, the thinking was to put Dravid at the top of the order and pitchfork VVS Laxman at number three. These two were the best bats against Australia in 2003 and the opinion was to again put them at the forefront. But both are unused to this position and Dravid is fighting his own demons, inflicted on him after his ouster from One-dayers, a few technical cobwebs as well as the new task of opening the innings.''

The reasoning is perfect, and that is the way it should be. And Veru should be happy. He certainly has very good memories of MCG with that tremendous 195.

The Report says that ''Sehwag has been put on alert and he wasted little time in rushing to the MCG indoor nets this afternoon to give himself some serious workout against bowling machines.''

Good. That will surely help him if he gets a chance for the sterner test ahead!

''Sehwag Selection is about desperation, not inspiration''

That is what Harsha Bhogale had to say in his column for the Indian Express when Selectors chose to look beyond probables.

He also said ‘’so the list of 24 was either a decoy for journalists or a boring academic exercise’’. Well, on both counts he was right as he pointed out to the exclusion of Aakash Chopra.

Undoubtedly, Sehwag is phenomenal on his day, but right now he is certainly not the man in form if we go by his recent domestic performances.

However, Ravi Shastri (in HT) had a different take on the issue as he expressed his elation at Sehwag’s comeback.

‘’I admire Viru for his dash and panache and the initiative he can seize in a matter of few good strokes,'' said the former Indian skipper.

However, at the same time he was not certain if Sehwag would be a part of the eleven as ''that would mean keeping Yuvraj out''.

It is significant because if Laxman, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dhoni and Yuvraj are to play, it leaves scope for just Wasim Jaffer. The other opener could be either Yuvraj or Dravid. One grappling with bad luck and other with lack of form.

Hopefully, Sehwag will get a chance in the eleven in the first tour game to prove his credentials for the sterner Test ahead on December 26.

However, whether Sehwag is in the eleven or not, there is at least one expert who believes that India has a very good chance down under.

‘’My gut feeling is that Anil Kumble’s team will do quite well in Australia’’, writes Imran Khan, adding that, despite some docile pitches, ''the Indian batting is looking very good as of now''.

We can only say that aapke muhn mein ghee shakkar (An Indian way of expressing thanks hoping that Imran's words will come true). And we also hope that if Sehwag gets a chance, he will recapture the form of 2003-2004 season.