How to coach Sehwag?

For any coach of the Indian team, one of the most perplexing questions is how to handle Virender Sehwag.

For any coach of the Indian team, one of the most perplexing questions is how to handle Virender Sehwag. John Wright left him the way he was and the batsman gave him his best. Greg Chappell tried doing the same and Sehwag gave him his worst. But whenever Wright and Chappell did interfere, they realised sooner or later that he was hardly the batsman who would agree to alter his style of play.

Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton seem to have already taken a leaf out of that book. Going by how the two handled the opener during Monday’s net session, and from what Sehwag had to say after practice, it was clear that Kirsten and Upton were concentrating on building a rapport with the batsman rather than fiddling with his technique.

Sehwag spent 20 minutes with the bat before chatting with Upton. They moved away from the other players — who were busy with their practice routine — and gave themselves space to open up with each other. “We spoke for a long time but I can’t divulge the details,” Sehwag said. “I was discussing mental toughness with him. It was quite a good discussion and I think a few positives will come out of it.”

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During India’s tour of West Indies in 2006, Chappell had referred Sehwag to West Indies sports psychologist Rudi Webster, and the opener said it had done him a lot of good.

“Like Rudi, I hope Paddy will be of help. Few people can answer questions thrown by batsmen on mental toughness. But the session with Paddy was satisfactory,” he said.

“Gary and Paddy seem to have come well prepared. What I spoke to him (Paddy) is confidential and hope it remains so. I’m going to trust him,” Sehwag said.

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