Is this New, Improved Sehwag a predetermined product? Or is his day-long stint at the crease today an unplanned flash in the pan? Most likely the former: conversations with the coach and the player himself over the past few months reveal he was working on playing bigger, longer innings.Before the tour of Pakistan, Sehwag had told this reporter of his immediate plans. ‘‘I want to convert my 30s and 40s into big hundreds’’, he’d said at nets in his old Delhi school. ‘‘The tour of Australia and the 195 I scored at the MCG really gave me added confidence that I can play a big innings.’’‘‘Although I would like to play my natural game — playing shots irrespective of the bowlers I face — I want to be known at the end of the day as a batsman who can contribute to the team’s success. I am not satisfied with scores of 30-40. I promise you, I’ll come back from Pakistan with a more consistent performance,’’ he’d said.That was evident at Multan today, as he began slowly before making a flurry of well-timed strokes on either side of the wicket. Although there were those typical Sehwag shots — sixes over point and cover boundaries — his maiden unbeaten double ton had a mixture of aggression and caution. The manner in which he decided to leave several deliveries that were pitched away from the stumps gave ample proof of the batsman’s determination and discipline.His school coach A N Sharma, with whom he interacts regularly, said that before the tour of Australia, Viru had said that he was ‘‘a bit worried’’ about getting out after ‘‘well set.’’‘‘We used to have frequent arguments over his playing across the line. I then told him not to curb his strokes but to come in line of the ball and to play straight. Aaj woh wicket chhodke nahin khela, ’’ Sharma said today.‘‘Similarly, when Sehwag came to the school nets for a week before the team’s departure for Pakistan, I had told him to avoid playing too many strokes in the air, ’’ the coach said.‘‘People expect big scores from him every time. I am glad today Sachin guided him to make that big knock,’’ Sharma said.In fact, Sharma had even told Sehwag jokingly that he would talk to him only if he scored a double hundred. ‘‘I told him that he was capable of scoring 200 in a one-day game. He has the strokes to achieve that target. Today, I am very happy that Viru has proved me right. If he plays till lunch on the second day, he can even reach 300,’’ said the proud coach.We are used to it: Sehwag SrIt’s become normal for us (Viru scoring runs)’’, his father Krishan said. ‘‘The excitement that was there initially is more controlled now. We know that he’ll make big runs and win matches for the country.’’When asked how the family would celebrate the cricketer’s batting display at multan, Sehwag Sr said with a smile on his face: ‘‘We will not be the only people celebrating.The entire country is happy about his batting display. Poori duniya khushi mana rahi hai.’’Sehwag Senior, who watched the first day’s play on television at his Najafgarh home, said the family wasn’t planning to visit Pakistan to watch Viru bat. ‘‘We enjoy watching his exploits on TV.’’
