Batting long is Sehwag's aim

[vvvslaxman]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/500392.html World Cup 2011 Batting long is Sehwag's aim Siddarth Ravindran in Bangalore February 11, 2011 Be the first to comment | Text size: A | A Virender Sehwag hasn't played an ODI since August last year © AFP As if Virender Sehwag's batting strike-rate of 102 over a decade in one-day cricket wasn't enough to frighten bowlers, he has now set his sights on batting long during the World Cup. During his astonishing double-century against Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan in the Galle Test in 2008, Sehwag carried his bat but he is yet to bat out the full quota of overs in one-dayers, something he hopes to achieve. "I think I never played 50 overs in one-day cricket, maximum I faced is 42-44 overs," a relaxed Sehwag said in Bangalore. "This time I'll try to bat 50 overs if I can. I have been trying for 10 years, I'm still trying." Emulating Sachin Tendulkar, who made the first and only double-century so far in the format when he played out 50 overs against South Africa last year, wasn't a target for Sehwag though. "Sachin has played 50 overs many times, not just once, but he could make 200 only once because it is not easy to make 200 in a one-dayer." Nearly a third of Sehwag's innings have been single-digit efforts, a proportion he aims to reduce with a more measured approach early in the innings. "I have Yuvraj [singh], MS Dhoni, [suresh] Raina, [Virat] Kohli and Yusuf [Pathan] in the middle order, so I can go after the bowling straight from the first ball, but nowadays I'm a giving a little bit of respect for first 4-5 overs," he said. "Then I can take on the bowlers to make sure I give a good start so even if I get out the middle order can take their time and then go after the bowling." This will be the first World Cup since Twenty20 become a big-money phenomenon, and Sehwag says the rise of cricket's newest format will mean teams batting first will have to set bigger targets to feel safe. "If you get a good batting track, 320 or 300 will be a par score in the World Cup," he said. "IPL changed a lot of batsmen's mindsets, because batsmen now think we can chase 10 run an over anytime. Before teams thought you have lost the game if they needed to chase 10 an over, but now with the power-hitters in the team, they will chase it and that will be very exciting to see in the World Cup" Injuries and the team management's decision to rest him from some recent series has meant Sehwag goes into the World Cup not having played a one-dayer in more than five months. He missed the recent series against South Africa due to a shoulder problem, and though he is satisfied with his recovery, he is yet to start bowling. "I'm taking regular treatment, so hopefully it will be fine when the match comes," he said. "I don't want to bowl in the nets and get injured again, so when I feel my shoulder is better I can start bowling." Shoulder trouble ruled Sehwag out of the past three global ICC tournaments - the Champions Trophy in 2009, and the previous two World Twenty20s - and India have had early exits in each of those, despite entering as title contenders. This World Cup, too, India are one of the front-runners. What lessons has the team learnt from past failures? "The only thing we learnt is that we are not favourites." Siddarth Ravindran is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo Feeds: Siddarth Ravindran

[vvvslaxman]

"I have Yuvraj [singh], MS Dhoni, [suresh] Raina, [Virat] Kohli and Yusuf [Pathan] in the middle order :cantstop: Viru has already selected the team .

[akshayxyz]

^ pretty keen eyes you have there. Perfect example of reading between the lines.

[Ram]

He is key, especially against sides like Australia and South Africa whose opening bowlers bowl 140+. He is one of the few batsmen who can score even off brisk bowling and that talent will come in handy for us against those sides. But if Sehwag gets going, that too early in the tournament, then God bless the rest of the bowling attacks. He has always been deadly in ODIs, but never has been a consistent tormentor. If you ask the leading bowlers of the world as to who they think figures in the list of most accomplished ODI batsmen, his name will probably not figure in the list. It’s a great chance for him to correct this anomaly

[spectre]

Good aim to have! If sehwag can achieve this aim..India will win the cup, there is no doubt whatsoever. If he plays 50 overs, he will score 200 everytime

[vvvslaxman]

If Viru stays long it is impossible for us to lose unless our crap bowlers bowl worse than their usual crap like they allowed SL almost chase down 414.

[Zelig]

If Viru stays long it is impossible for us to lose unless our crap bowlers bowl worse than their usual crap like they allowed SL almost chase down 414.

LOL Don't remind me of that game. I was almost b& for opening the match thread :D Nehra

[Ram]

If Viru stays long it is impossible for us to lose unless our crap bowlers bowl worse than their usual crap like they allowed SL almost chase down 414.

Actually he probably wont. He suffers from the same syndrome that seems to have afflicted guys like Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma – they simply havent gotten the hang of pacing an ODI innings, especially batting first. At least if we are chasing, the target sort of dictates the pace and it becomes easier for these guys, but batting first, it’s an agonizing mental battle almost every ball for these guys. All the time, they’re only one dot-ball away from having a mental explosion. They try to release the pressure by manufacturing something out of nothing, which leads to indiscreet shot selection and subsequently, their dismissal.

[Chaos]

i still can NOT believe how many people discount sehwag as a odi player. He is one of the BEST players out there. 35 runs at 102 strike rate? i would take that any day from an opener!!!

[Sir_Afridi]

2 Sehwags in this WC :yay:

[Roshanrocks]

two sehwags? :hmmm:

[Sir_Afridi]

two sehwags? :hmmm:

Ahmed & Virender :two_thumbs_up:

[Roshanrocks]

Ahmed? :hmmm:

[Sir_Afridi]

Ahmed? :hmmm:

:yes:

[Roshanrocks]

oh u mean ahmed shehzad :P i havent seen him bat at all

[gaurav92]

LOL Don't remind me of that game. I was almost b& for opening the match thread :D Nehra

You mean Mrs. Nehra , right ? :winky:

[CSK Fan]

i still can NOT believe how many people discount sehwag as a odi player. He is one of the BEST players out there. 35 runs at 102 strike rate? i would take that any day from an opener!!!

35 is not good enough for an opener. The strike rate is something which can me made up later in the innings or by the late ordr players. But an average of 35 means he fails more often than succeeds

[Lord]

no Sehwag please dont do that.we have enough guys like Sachin,Gambhir,Kohli to bat long n Dhoni to consolidate if wickets fall early.last thing we want is u playing slowly to bat long n after 5 overs getting out.its is just not your game do what you know best,destroying bowlers from the very start.make sure that even if u r there for 25 overs u have done enough damage that a normal player would do in 45-50 overs

[Lord]

35 is not good enough for an opener. The strike rate is something which can me made up later in the innings or by the late ordr players. But an average of 35 means he fails more often than succeeds

really then I guess Jayasuriya n Gilchrist would have been bad openers

[gaurav92]

Average of 35 in an ODI is pretty good IMO, its not Tests where we want a 45+ average, plus the game style of Viru which involves high risk, and still he averages 35 at a strike rate of 100+ is phenomenal.