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Sehwag hopes India will save game

Special Correspondent

The century-maker appreciates Steyn and Badrinath’s effort

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

LONE RANGER: Virender Sehwag, whose century brightened up a bleak Indian batting performance, remains optimistic of the host remaining afloat in the first Test.

NAGPUR: Virender Sehwag said India’s batsmen were disappointed with their performance on the third day of the first Test; although he himself will play no further part in India’s batting, having been twice dismissed, he expressed hope that his colleagues would save the match.

“All of us are upset at the way we batted,” said Sehwag, who made 109 of India’s 233 in the first innings.

“It was not the kind of wicket where you should be bowled out so cheaply.

“We will try hard, we will fight back. We followed on against Australia (in 2001) and won a match.

“Nothing is impossible. We must try to spend as much time as possible in the middle and make runs.

“Sachin (Tendulkar) is still out in the middle, he is vastly experienced. Hopefully he will get us out of trouble.”

Superb effort

Sehwag said Dale Steyn’s performance was of the highest quality.

“If you see the wickets of Sachin and Vijay in the first innings, he bowled really well, one came in and the other went away.

“Later on, he used reverse swing really well. He is a good bowler and he bowled well,” said Sehwag.

Asked about S. Badrinath (56), with whom he shared a 136-run stand, India’s only partnership of substance, Sehwag said, “He is a very good player, he has scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket.

“Finally he got the chance to play for his country and his debut was very good.

“He scored 50, he fought hard with me. I was telling him to enjoy himself and try and bat as long as he can and look for opportunities to score runs and he was doing the same.”

Badrinath said Sehwag’s rate of scoring had allowed him time to play himself in, but admitted that he felt the pressure of not squandering an opportunity earned after years of hard work.

“All those thoughts were running through my mind,” he said.

“But my own experience told me to concentrate on the job ahead. I was digesting the fact that I was playing Test cricket. I was training my mind on what to do, yes there was pressure. But it was exciting.”

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