When Virender Sehwag, who was
dropped for the home Test series against Pakistan in November last
year, was selected for the Test series in Australia despite not
being named in the 24 probables, doubts were raised whether he
deserved a place in the side.
The manner in which he responded — by scoring a match-saving
unbeaten 151 in the second innings to save the Adelaide Test and now
by equalling his own record of 309 as India’s highest scorer in an
innings in Chennai on Friday — will silence his critics.
Sehwag, who not only overhauled records on Friday but gave India an
outside chance of a victory in the first Test, said that he wanted
to prove that he belonged to the team.
“When I was
dropped from the Test squad I was hurt because I have a good record in
Test cricket. So I was looking to prove to myself that I am a good Test
player and deserve a place in the team,” Sehwag told a media conference.
“Being dropped hurt, but it was also good for me because I was able to
motivate myself and concentrate better.”
What did he feel after becoming only the third player after Sir Don
Bradman and Brian Lara to score two Test triple centuries?
“I don’t have words to express,” he said. “I don’t think I showed so much
patience and concentration in Pakistan (where he scored his first triple
ton). I wanted to prove to myself that I belong here and there is no
better way than playing a big knock and scoring a triple century.”
Sehwag rated this knock, which has seen him garner 198 runs so far through
boundaries, as his “best”.
“I will say this is my best Test innings because I made 300 and scored at
more than a run a ball,” he said. “I think this is better than Multan
because I was scoring faster. In Multan the wicket was better than this
and the conditions were not hot and humid.”
It was such a great knock that he did not offer a
single chance to any of the bowlers. There was no mistimed stroke in
his innings and he was hardly beaten ever since he stepped out to
bat on Thursday evening after being in the field for 680 minutes.
“I think that’s the best Test match innings I’ve ever seen,” South
Africa coach Mickey Arthur said. “The way he played today was
absolutely amazing. We tried to attack him, we defended against him,
tried to bowl straight lines, wide, over the wicket, round the
wicket, did everything possible. And he countered us.”
Arthur conceded that Sehwag’s knock has changed the complexion of
the game.
“I think we said last night that we wanted to keep the run rate down and
get wickets. When Viru is batting he scores so quickly and in
unconventional areas,” Arthur said. “The moment you changed the fielder he
reverse swept, hit over square leg. Fantastic innings, obviously put India
in a very good position.”
However, Sehwag denied that he will play for the record.
“I was not thinking about Lara’s record at all. Anil Kumble told me that
my job is to stay till the end,” he said. “Even tomorrow, I won’t be
thinking about Lara’s record. I will just look to bat for one session and
I think if I bat till lunch I will come close to Lara’s record.”
