Wisecracking Sehwag leads morale brigade

Today, while their bowling kept to a plan, the batting initially seemed to have a mind of its own. Yet Team Chappell knew what was going on. With India at a precarious 46/2, an interesting statistic flashed on biomechanist Ian Frazer’s computer: Dravid is the world’s top ODI run-getter this year. And as he underlined that fact out in the middle, his teammates kept up the spirit in the pavilion.

The chief morale-booster was Sehwag, first to his feet to applaud boundaries and other landmarks, first with a wisecrack. He was the first to console a glum Gautam Gambhir on his early dismissal. When he spotted reserve bowler Sreesanth near the sightscreen, observing Andrew Nel’s seam movement, he shouted, ‘‘Pad up next if you think he can’t bowl!’’

And when it was all over, the juniors—RP Singh and S Sreesanth—came out for the prize distribution fully armed with bottles of mineral water and soft drinks.