The Sehwag Triple - A melange of moments - Part VI
April 1st 2008 13:58
I would like to walk people through a phase in the Sehwag 180s. The bowler was the persevering Harris. He had finally given up on his over the wicket tactics and had come on around the wicket having the impertinence to think that he can get wickets. But Sehwag was having none of it.
The attacking line of Harris was offset by a carefully calculated sweep shot where Smith did not have any fielder. With that line compromised, Harris fired it in fast and wide of off stump. That ball was seen almost before the bowler had conceptualized it and was impetuously carted over extra cover for six. Sehwag the diviner was not done yet. It was crystal clear to him, if not others, that Harris was not going to pitch the next ball up. And so it happened. The ball was faster and shorter. Sehwag waited and opened the face of his bat and undercut on the stroke to give the ball even more momentum than what it was delivered with. The ball screamed to meet the third man boundary. 3 consecutive boundaries and Harris' spell was shattered.
How crucial this was, cannot be overemphasized. On such a pitch where fast bowlers are not raring to go, it is the spinner who is the captain's go-to man, his man-Friday. His stop gap solution and also his number one wicket taking option. All those options were cut down, were scythed down mercilessly, yet cleanly and effortlessly by one man. Virender Sehwag, the Delhi Destroyer.
Spellbinding batting incorporating style and power, craft and effortlessness.
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