In four years, Sehwag's life comes a full circle |
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Saturday March 29, 02:31 AM
Virender Sehwag's son Aryavir will not understand why the entire crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk went berserk on Friday evening until he's a little older. Along with mother Aarti, he spent the day in Chennai's sweltering heat as his father scored a triple-hundred that will remain etched in history.
For a cricket-mad country that had to wait 72 years before seeing one of their own cross the landmark, Sehwag has now defied the odds twice over. And the 29-year-old from Najafgarh, who became only the third batsman after Don Bradman and Brian Lara to score two triple-tons, has a chance to go after Lara's world record 400 not out in the first Test against South Africa when play resumes on Saturday.
It was hard to not notice that Sehwag, who recently lost his father, was getting a touch emotional. "I would like to dedicate it to my family, my wife and son and especially my dad. He is not with us but he always wished I play for India and score a lot of runs," he said.
It was ironical that when Sehwag reached the 300-milestone, his partner at the other end was former captain Rahul Dravid (65 not out). Knocks such as the one on Friday were why Dravid, as skipper, had backed Sehwag to the hilt even when he was out of form. Often, at selection committee meetings, Dravid would have to fight to get the opener included. Sehwag's innings was, in a way, a rejoinder to those who felt Dravid's decision was wrong.
But more than that, it was retribution for a cricketer who - having touched the stars - was in danger of finding himself in the dumps forever. Calls for Sehwag's head had become louder over the last year, and not without reason. He did not get benched between the 2004 tour of Pakistan and the next trip there in 2006, but the lack of runs, especially in one-dayers, was taking its toll. After 2006, things became worse. Until a 151 in Adelaide this January, he had just one century and three half centuries to show in 27 outings, and captain MS Dhoni then made him sit out for most of the one-day tournament in Australia.
As Sehwag raised his arms to acknowledge the cheers at Chepauk on Friday, his career had come 360 degrees (or should we say 309). It was apt that he ended the day on the same score he had made in Multan exactly four years ago. "When I was dropped from the Test squad, I was hurt because I have a good record. I was looking to prove to myself that I'm a good Test player and deserve a place in the team," he said on Friday.
South Africa's coach Mickey Arthur, who addressed the media on Friday, said it was the best innings he had ever watched. "Even in my wildest of dreams I didn't think someone would score so quickly," Arthur said. South Africa used all possible tactics, including some negative bowling from left-arm spinner Paul Harris, but the belligerent Sehwag did not let anything slow him down. He reverse-swept Harris until he was forced to go back to a more traditional line, and then took him apart again. "I was trying not to let him settle down. Had I looked to pad the negative line all day, I may not have scored 300," he said.
Sehwag has the 400-target ahead of him. South Africa had better watch out. If he does get there, stopping an India victory will not be easy on a fifth-day Chennai track.
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