Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on April 25, 2012
Sehwag enters the hearts of even Warriors’ fans
There is no other batsman in the world who treats bowlers in such cavalier manner.
“I am a Virendra Sehwag fan and he has made my day today,” said Samruddhi,a Class VI student who had come all the way from Solapur along with her family to watch Viru’s fireworks. “I have come only for Viru. There is no other batsman in the world who treats bowlers in such cavalier manner. I have come only to watch him play,” said Nitin Gaikwad,a developer from Mamurdi.
And hear this one out. “Though I am a Pune Warrior supporter,I am enjoying every bit of Viru’s batting,” said Shantanu who had come from Gultekdi with his family. From young,middle-aged to the old — most of whom swore allegiance to Saurav Ganguly-led Pune Warriors India,cheered and waved flags as India’s most explosive batsman stamped his class in his very first match that he played at Subrata Roy Stadium.
And in the process,the Viru-led Daredevils outclassed,outbatted PWI. Dada himself came a cropper scopping a easy catch in the second over of the day. In stark contrast to his “shoot and scoot” type of batting,Sehwag was patience personified as he carried his bat through,notching up an unbeaten 87 studded with fours and sixes in equal measure. Right from the word go,Sehwag looked at ease with himself.
As Dada’s boys took to the field,Sehwag spent most of his time in first slip. Even when the spinners were bowling extracting no turn whatsoever,Sehwag refused to move from slips. In fact,it was only mid-way through the seventh over,Sehwag for the first time moved away from the slip. Only to plonk himself at short third man. “Not even once he was spotted chasing a bowl up to the boundary. We missed his close up,” said Avinash Prasad,a businessman. Even when Umesh Yadav was being carted away by Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa,Sehwag remained unruffled while his deputy Mahela Jaywardene was seen sprinting up to the bowler and giving him advice.
“Probably today he had taken a vow of celibacy,” joked Rajendra Shelkhe,a cricket enthusiast. And when it came to chasing the PWI’s target of 143,Sehwag for the first time in many years showed that he was not in a hurry to return to the pavilion. Even when the spinners came on to bowl,Sehwag did not dance down the wicket as he often does. Not even to Murli Karthik whom he had hit for a first ball six in DD’s last match against PWI. Probably,he had taken note of what fans and experts like Dilip Vengarskar voiced in today’s Newsline urging him to show patience.
Ashish Nehra bowled with fire,but Sehwag was equal to the task as he flayed him to all parts of the ground. Sehwag lost his two partners,but remained rooted till Darevils were home. “The last six that was paisa vasool for me,” said Gaikwad as he and his friends smiled their way out of the crowded Gahunje stadium. It was a sweet revenge for Viru’s men who had been humiliated by Dada’s boys on the home ground at Kotla in Delhi last week.
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