Former India coach John Wright, now New Zealand selector, maybe in the rival camp but still cannot help but be happy for Sehwag.
There was one Kiwi at the Seddon Park yesterday who was cheering every run that Virender Sehwag smashed. Former India coach John Wright, now New Zealand selector, maybe in the rival camp but still cannot help but be happy for Sehwag.
It was under his coaching stint that Sehwag was catapulted into the opener's role and rest as they say is history. As Sehwag went bang, bang, Wright was getting excited too. "How much is Viru batting on? Has he got his hundred?" Wright enquired as rain halted play.
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It is obvious Wright despite his famous run-in with Sehwag in England in 2002, when he held his collar for getting out cheaply, still wants to watch the Delhi dasher play. "He's something else isn't he? Sourav was the one who pushed for him to open and see what has happened today," Wright said with a wide smile.
And in Sehwag's own words nothing has changed in him since Wright left the team in 2005. "Nothing has changed. I still play 70-75 balls and score a 100, it's just a matter of your day," Sehwagu00a0 said.
Not for a moment will Sehwag give an impression that he is speaking out of turn and it is this simplicity that has people like Wright wowing for him.
Asked about his only mistimed shot in the innings, he flicked it away in style. "I think, the six with which I completed my 100 was a mistimed hit,'' he said with a deadpan face forcing laughter all around.
There is a humane side to the destructive Sehwag too. "I do feel sorry for the bowlers when I play like that.
You can't do anything in such cases. Like when (Brendon) McCullum and (Jesse) Ryder were hitting, our bowlers prayed that they play a mis-hit.'' But is he the most destructive batsman in world cricket? "I don't think so.
McCullum is there, Warner is there, there are a couple of other batsmen.''
Keen not to disturb protocols, Sehwag can put away tricky queries like will he rest for Tendulkar at Auckland?u00a0 "I think MS will tell you about it.''
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