Sehwag commits suicide at the crease

By John Cheeran
Burden of captaincy has not changed the carefree ways of Virender Sehwag. What a pity, I must say.
Spinners Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble had done India and skipper Sehwag a big favour by doing two things rightly.
First, these two ensured that India enjoy a huge first innings lead of 192 runs after they were reeling at 97 for five.
Second, and equally important, Harbhajan and Kumble avoided a Sri Lankan follow on.
Had Sri Lanka fell short of the follow on mark, skipper Sehwag would have been under pressure to enforce it, there by denying himself and Gautam Gambhir a second chance to redeem their batting fortunes.
Batting fourth on this wicket would really be a difficult proposition to even a batsman in good touch. Big scores have eluded Sehwag this season; opener Gambhir is battling for his place in the side.
Batting woes are not just limited to the Delhi dazzlers.
A second chance would help even Mohammad Kaif, who failed in the first innings after making a comeback to the Test arena.
That explains the context of Indian second innings at Ahmedabad.
And then what happens?
Sehwag goes for the hook off the very first ball of the innings sent down by Lasith Malinga. Sehwag is an instinctive player; an anti-thesis to a conventional opener. But Sehwag should learn to refine those instincts so that the balls that should be left alone, should be left alone.
Sehwag’s dismissal came as a big a disappointment. That was the quickest suicide I have ever seen at the batting crease.
I agree, India could afford losing an early wicket; but Indian top order has not distinguished itself in the last innings. A steady opening partnership would have boosted not just Sehwag’s confidence but Team India’s morale too.
But skipper Sehwag quickly handed over a slice of the hard earned advantage to Sri Lankan bowlers.
May be, India will win this Test.
Sehwag would be remembered for leading India to win in his very first Test as captain.
But Sehwag’s suicide will continue to haunt me, even if India wins.