The much-anticipated return of Virender Sehwag into the Indian fold turned into a damp squib when the attacking batsman fell for just 8 runs in the team's two-day match against county side Northamptonshire on Friday.
Sehwag, who came to open the innings with Gautam Gambhir, was trapped leg before wicket by Northants pacer Dave Burton. And though the swashbuckling batsman tried to get his eye in before opening his hands, he misread a straight delivery by the bowler.
As soon as the 32-year-old batsman landed in England on Wednesday, he was presented as the messiah who would save the sinking Indian ship. The visitors were beaten hollow in their first two Tests of the tour so far.
They were thrashed by 196 runs at Lord's while their outing at the Trent Bridge proved to be even worse. After putting England on the mat on the first day, they let the game drift and lost the contest by 319 runs at the end.
But paying too much attention to one person is not something new to Indian cricket. We have been doing that to Sachin Tendulkar for over two decades now. And though the Indian opener has got all the limelight with his arrival so far, it might actually be helping others who could use their time to sort out the flaws in their game.
But projecting him as the saviour who will save his side's further blushes could be expecting a lot from a player who likes to be on his own most of the times. One should also remember that Sehwag's style of play doesn't suit seaming and swinging conditions and could possibly lead to the team's downfall if he decides to take the attack to the opposition from ball one.
Sehwag's opening partner Gambhir, who missed the second Test after injuring himself while fielding at short leg, also departed after scoring 18 runs from 55 balls.
The game against Northants was also a good opportunity for Dhoni, whose batting and wicketkeeping were under scanner on the tour so far. The skipper would like to get a few runs under his belt, along with, putting a better showing behind the stumps.
Suresh Raina could also use the opportunity to come to terms with the short-pitched stuff which brought his downfall in the second Test at Nottingham.
sorce
Sehwag, who came to open the innings with Gautam Gambhir, was trapped leg before wicket by Northants pacer Dave Burton. And though the swashbuckling batsman tried to get his eye in before opening his hands, he misread a straight delivery by the bowler.
As soon as the 32-year-old batsman landed in England on Wednesday, he was presented as the messiah who would save the sinking Indian ship. The visitors were beaten hollow in their first two Tests of the tour so far.
They were thrashed by 196 runs at Lord's while their outing at the Trent Bridge proved to be even worse. After putting England on the mat on the first day, they let the game drift and lost the contest by 319 runs at the end.
But paying too much attention to one person is not something new to Indian cricket. We have been doing that to Sachin Tendulkar for over two decades now. And though the Indian opener has got all the limelight with his arrival so far, it might actually be helping others who could use their time to sort out the flaws in their game.
But projecting him as the saviour who will save his side's further blushes could be expecting a lot from a player who likes to be on his own most of the times. One should also remember that Sehwag's style of play doesn't suit seaming and swinging conditions and could possibly lead to the team's downfall if he decides to take the attack to the opposition from ball one.
Sehwag's opening partner Gambhir, who missed the second Test after injuring himself while fielding at short leg, also departed after scoring 18 runs from 55 balls.
The game against Northants was also a good opportunity for Dhoni, whose batting and wicketkeeping were under scanner on the tour so far. The skipper would like to get a few runs under his belt, along with, putting a better showing behind the stumps.
Suresh Raina could also use the opportunity to come to terms with the short-pitched stuff which brought his downfall in the second Test at Nottingham.
sorce
