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Friday, Apr 08, 2005

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Sehwag - making batting look simple

By Sanjay Rajan

THE MAN WITH THE MIGHTY ARM: Virender Sehwag has to shoulder the team's and fans' expectations. — Photo: S. Subramanium

JAMSHEDPUR, APRIL 7. Virender Sehwag is not the sort of batsman you measure by statistics. You judge him by the impact he has on the opposition. At the same time, however, he has not done badly for someone who was not a specialist opener.

In 34 Tests, Sehwag has scored 3,079 runs at an astonishing average of 55.98 with 10 centuries and nine half-centuries. Interestingly, his last six hundreds have been over scores of 150.

And in 109 one-dayers, Sehwag has scored 3,358 runs at an average of 33.58, with seven hundreds and 17 fifties. He has opened in 85 of these matches, scored 2,991 at an average of 36.92. All his centuries have come as an opener.

It is not only the runs as much as the manner in which he gets them that is captivating. There is a destructive bend about the way he goes about his job. He possesses an uncomplicated technique and a style, which he has formulated for himself based on his strengths.

His scoring rate is remarkable: 72.63 in Tests — among the highest — and a terrific 95.86 in the overs-limit format.

The Delhi batsman has been in terrific form in the series against Pakistan. He scored a double hundred, a hundred and two fifties in the Tests, and was equally dominating in the first two ODIs, where he notched up a century at Kochi and made a rapid 74 at Visakhapatnam.

Simple approach

Sehwag's approach to batting is very simple. "Ultimately the ball is there to be hit. And that means the bad deliveries have to be punished," said the opener during team practice at the Keenan Stadum here on Thursday. The third one-dayer between India and Pakistan will be played on Satirday. Sehwag is well aware of his influence on the minds of the opposition.

"Considering my batting style and the form that I am presently in, the opposition obviously does not want me around for too long. The pressure is on them rightaway," he said.

Runs come easily to Sehwag, who is blessed with a wonderful hand-eye coordination and a quick mind. And, he is clear about his role. "I am the in-form batsman, and I focus on giving the side a good start. Being a quick accumulator, I am aware that the longer I am in the middle the better for the side," he said.

Last year he had a difficult time in the ODIs, when he averaged just 25.80 with only five fifties. "But then, every batsman goes through a phase like that. Sourav (Ganguly) is going through a similar bad patch. You try and get off it early," he said.

Greatest asset

The opener's greatest asset is his mental strength. Nothing ever seems to ruffle him, and no situation seems beyond him. It is probably this character that allows him to approach a Test or ODI in similar fashion.

As he once put it, "My approach to batting is such that it does not allow pressure to influence it. The day it does, I won't be getting runs."

Sehwag's batting is all about `timing.' It is not just hand and eye but equally about bat speed, which is one of the quickest in modern cricket. It is about feel as well. "It could seem from outside like I approach every ball as if it is a bad delivery because of my high back-lift and the resultant punch in my shots. The fact is, I focus on middling the ball for the `feel.' I must agree that I do like to play hard though," he once said.

The topic veered to Dhoni, the country's latest batting sensation. Sehwag said, "He is an exciting batsman. It has been a while since I've seen such rich talent. He is the attacking sort of player like me. At the same time, however, he is different. With two stroke-makers batting together, it is bound to be difficult for the opposition."

A useful off-spinner, his skills, however, has not been used much of late. Sehwag said, "That's up to the captain, really. We have options now. Sachin is bowling well. And Sourav knows when to use me."

It was a day of optional practice for both the teams. Barring Sachin Tendulkar and L. Balaji, the other members of the Indian team were present at the ground.

Pakistan's nets was in the morning. Vice-captain Younis Khan, who missed the first two ODIs due to indisposition, batted under the supervision of coach Bob Woolmer.

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