Experimenting with a Sehwag riddle

Already running behind schedule by 96 hours, just 22 balls and 11 runs today, the rest to be played tomorrow...

Already running behind schedule by 96 hours, just 22 balls and 11 runs today, the rest to be played tomorrow, maybe it8217;s time we called this a one-day cricket serial.

But then, as it goes these days with a cricket match involving India, even the 3.4 overs that were bowled after skipper Rahul Dravid won the toss this afternoon would have provided enough food for dining table debates to last till this two-nation series gets over 8212; if ever. And that8217;s largely thanks to the XI that India marked out today.

Rahul Dravid 9 and Sachin Tendulkar 2 opening the innings should be the obvious starter, but as you chew down the list, it8217;s Virender Sehwag at No 3, or No.4 if Irfan Pathan is pushed up, that would make your jaws work overtime.

Then, you would want to reach for the records, which show that Sehwag has been opening regularly for India since January 2001 8212; and quite successfully, too. And, of the 152 matches and 4608 runs in his name, a mere 465 runs have come in just 22 innings from No. 3 to No. 6, including three 50s. Oh yes, there are those two innings, too, of one at No. 7 on his Mohali debut against Shoaib Akhtar and friends in April 1999, and 12 at No. 8, believe it or not, against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa in July 2001.

So what8217;s up? Experiment or long-term strategy, let8217;s hope for Team India that it clicks with just over a month to go for the Champions Trophy and seven more for the World Cup. The move to push Sehwag down looks alright when you see it as one that will help Sachin Tendulkar retain his natural slot and Dravid stay at a corner he8217;s becoming increasingly unbeatable in 8212; rewind to that magnificent century in Jamaica or soak in that delectable glance off Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga and the backfoot punch against Chaminda Vaas today.

But when you look at it from Sehwag8217;s window, the picture may not be so clear. In fact, coach Greg Chappell had told this paper in a Mumbai interview, as soon as he had returned from a vacation in the US, that Tendulkar may have to gear up for any eventuality, even bat down the order.

But of course, this is one decision that would never have been taken without the Najafgarh superstar nodding his head. Then again, he has played most of his cricket down the order, till that famous push from Sourav Ganguly seven years go. But it doesn8217;t need an expert to ask these obvious questions: how comfortable will Sehwag be down the order, will he be able to work the gaps, do a Mohammed Kaif in a tight game? Or if this actually is long-term, will the 27-year-old adjust in time for big-ticket cricket?

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If yes is the answer from Sehwag, then that8217;s another batting juggle that Team India can safely carry on, for now. And one debate that will die a natural death.