I don't think of landmarks: Sehwag

Virender Sehwag's clean hitting reflects in the way he speaks as well. The Nawab of Najafgarh, who won the Indian batsman of the year award, made a confession at the Castrol Awards ceremony yesterday

Virender Sehwag's clean hitting reflects in the way he speaks as well. The Nawab of Najafgarh, who won the Indian batsman of the year award, made a confession at the Castrol Awards ceremony yesterday.


A delighted Virender Sehwag with his batsman of the year award. Pic/Santosh Nagwekar

Though his innings of 293 against Sri Lanka in the third Test at the Brabourne Stadium broke a few records, Sehwag missed accomplishing the feat of being the only player to score three triple centuries when he was caught and bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan.

"I don't think about landmarks. If I think (about them) then I don't make it," said Sehwag before adding, "Rahul Dravid was batting with me at the other end and he told me if you stay till the end, a record would be created. I waited and I got out. I try to score quickly when in the 90s because if I face too many balls, I fear
getting out."

Never satisfied
Sehwag said his omission from the national team in 2007 was a blessing in disguise. "I made my comeback on the Australian tour with 151 in the Adelaide Test. I then had to fight my way back into the team. It helped me get tougher because at times, one tends to get satisfied with achievements. It also helped developing a new hunger in me," he said.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar claimed a couple of awards when he was named the Indian cricketer as well as the Test batsman of the year. He was also felicitated for becoming the only batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs and 50 Test tons.

Former great Mohinder Amarnath was bestowed with the lifetime achievement award. Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the ODI player of the year award while Harbhajan Singh bagged the bowler of the year trophy.

Yusuf Pathan got the impact player of the year award and Rahul Dravid got a special award for becoming the first cricketer to take 200 catches in Tests. Jaydev Unadkat won the junior cricketer of the year award.

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