Into The Groove

‘‘Every team has one or two quick bowlers. Australia has Brett Lee, South Africa had Ntini and Pollock. Having done fairly well against these bowlers, I don’t think the Pakistani pacers will be any different,’’ says Sehwag, dismissing fears that Shoaib and Co could be more menacing.

Talking to The Sunday Express after a 75-minute batting session against half-a-dozen bowlers, Viru says this was his way of reinforcing his skills. ‘‘I haven’t played much since returning from Australia. I just needed to brush up my skills before leaving for the three-day camp in Kolkata,’’ he says.

But Pakistan will be much more demanding than anything he has experienced in his short career and Sehwag is well aware of that. ‘‘The attention of the entire cricket world will be on the series. Everyone will be watching our performances keenly. Therefore, it’s most necessary to do well there,’’ he says. Sehwag, who tried out four new bats at the practice session, agrees that mental preparation was very important. ‘‘Having played international cricket, one is expected to be mentally prepared, whether the opposition is Zimbabwe, Australia, England, South Africa or Pakistan. What is important is consistent performance,’’ he emphasises, adding that he would like to be more consistent with his scores in Pakistan without sacrificing his natural game.

Sehwag said he had no special strategy or plan to tackle the Pakistani bowlers. ‘‘I have just been watching some video clippings of some of their bowlers. The strategy and plans will be worked out during the Kolkata camp by the coach and the skipper. I will just play my normal game, the way I always do. It should be an exciting series. That I’ll promise,’’ he said with a smile.

As if that statement did not give it away already, Sehwag hastens to add that he is the same old Viru dada. ‘‘I am what I was as a junior cricketer. I know the value and importance of hard work. Earlier, I used to travel in buses and on cycles. Now I travel in a car. That’s the only difference. Yeh sab mehnat ka fhal hai. I never compromised on hard work. Cricket still remains my Priority No.1. Everything else, including commercials, comes after that,’’ he said. Like he did before the tour of South Africa two years ago, Sehwag has been practising at the cemented wicket at the school ground. ‘.

‘‘A few days nets at the school nets always refreshes my mind. I feel at ease exchanging pleasantries and joking with old colleagues,’’ Viru said, packing his kit and ready to take on the Pakistani bowlers across the border. The entire world will be watching.