South Africa's short solution for Sehwag |
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Wednesday April 2, 02:11 AM
Teams are usually wary of Virender Sehwag in any case. But when he comes into a Test with a triple ton in the previous game, the worries get multiplied.
No wonder then that the opener's 319 in Chennai has swung the South African think-tank into action, leading them to serious brain-storming sessions ahead of the second Test starting on Thursday. And, they believe, they have finally arrived at a formula to silence the Delhi dasher.
"We had a look at his innings, and we noticed that we hadn't tested him too much with short-pitched deliveries," South African coach Mickey Arthur said on Tuesday. "In fact, he played his first pull shot when he was on 312. That is one area we can test him. We'll target him with short balls early on and see how he copes with that," he added.
The Proteas are also planning to place a deep third-man to Sehwag and bowl short and wide outside the off-stump to lure him to play his trademark slash over gully. "He cuts very well. So third-man becomes an attacking option with him," said Arthur.
But with the temperature steadily rising with every passing day, it would be interesting to see how the South African bowling attack can put pressure by continuously probing Sehwag with short deliveries. But Arthur said there would be no problem. "The conditions here are pretty much like that in South Africa. In Chennai, it was both hot and humid, but there is no humidity here. Anyway, our medical team did a fine job in Chennai with the players' heat-management."
Sachin relief
If Sehwag remains a thorn in their side, the absence of Sachin Tendulkar due to a groin injury seems to have brought some relief to the South African camp, who were worried about the former skipper joining the party in Ahmedabad. "Sachin is irreplaceable. His presence itself is so big, so important, for any team. There will be a huge pressure on India in his absence," Arthur said.
"Yuvraj Singh is sitting there. He is a fine batsman. Mohammed Kaif comes with a lot of runs behind him. He scored heavily in the domestic season also. But, in the absence of Sachin, it would be interesting to see what India come up with. Will they go with five batsmen or an extra bowler?" he asked.
The wicket, too, has got the coach excited. "It looks like a good wicket, pretty even. There is a bit of grass, which should be good for our bowlers," he said. "We have an attack capable of taking 20 wickets."
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