One has heard of the five supposedly wise men of Indian cricket, namely the selectors making many a demand on cricketers who have established themselves in the national team as well as those looking to break into the same; but an out of favour cricketer reversing roles and making a demand of the selectors is certainly a new one even for an old, decrepit and jaded soul like me..........
The cricketer in question is none other than the "Nawab of Najafgarh" Virender Sehwag and the demand (if one can call it that ) reiterated by him is a long standing one pertaining to his long standing desire of re-establishing his credentials as a middle order batsman of note........
In this context, it is certainly worth recalling the fact that Sehwag made his debut in team India colours as a number six batsman who was more than capable of delivering a few overs of seemingly fatal off spin as well.........
It was the then captain Sourav "Dada" Ganguly and coach John Wright who coerced Sehwag to don the mantle of team India's marauding test opener who more often than not would get his team off to flying starts and provide it with the much desired cutting edge in the first session of what essentially was a five day long affair............
To his credit, it must be said that Sehwag more than made the best of what was seemingly a thankless situation and went on to become team India's second most prolific opening batsman after the redoubtable Sunil Manohar Gavaskar.......
One must also not loose sight off the fact that Sehwag is currently 33 going on 34 and has never been a role model of pristine fitness at any stage of his decade long international career, the fact of the matter is that his reflexes are slowing down with advancing age and he also has been facing or experiencing considerable problems with sighting the red cherry and has even resorted to using contact lenses as well as spectacles in an effort to set right this anomaly........
The advent of Shikhar Dhawan and his meteoric accession to the opener's slot has also certainly added to Sehwag's discomfiture and made the seemingly insurmountable task of regaining his lost place that much more arduous and ponderous...........
Yes it is true that Sehwag has only batted in the middle order in 10 out off the 185 odd innings or outings that he has had at the crease in Indian colours and his average as a middle order batsman is nothing much to write home about; but one should also not loose sight of the fact that Tendulkar's retirement is just a matter of time and the same will certainly leave a gaping hole in India's middle order that can only be filled up with a batsman who has the experience as well as wherewithal to step into these gargantuan shoes......
Sehwag certainly more than fits into the mould and there is no earthly or cricketing reason why the selectors should not be taking a fresh and renewed look at him as India's next number four batsman for the next five to six seasons as a new kid on the block would require a minimum of 10-12 test matches to find his feet and establish himself at the highest level while Sehwag has already been there and done that...........
And who better than Sehwag knows what is best for him at this stage of his career, if he wants to don the role of a middle order batsman, so be it, the selectors and team management should certainly accord the opportunity to this proven talent.........
Will the selectors put their heads together and accord the Nawab of Najafgarh his due wish, or then will they continue to persist with their head in the sand attitude and ask him to continue in his already established role as an opening batsman of note, well your guess in this regard is as good as mine..........
The cricketer in question is none other than the "Nawab of Najafgarh" Virender Sehwag and the demand (if one can call it that ) reiterated by him is a long standing one pertaining to his long standing desire of re-establishing his credentials as a middle order batsman of note........
In this context, it is certainly worth recalling the fact that Sehwag made his debut in team India colours as a number six batsman who was more than capable of delivering a few overs of seemingly fatal off spin as well.........
It was the then captain Sourav "Dada" Ganguly and coach John Wright who coerced Sehwag to don the mantle of team India's marauding test opener who more often than not would get his team off to flying starts and provide it with the much desired cutting edge in the first session of what essentially was a five day long affair............
To his credit, it must be said that Sehwag more than made the best of what was seemingly a thankless situation and went on to become team India's second most prolific opening batsman after the redoubtable Sunil Manohar Gavaskar.......
One must also not loose sight off the fact that Sehwag is currently 33 going on 34 and has never been a role model of pristine fitness at any stage of his decade long international career, the fact of the matter is that his reflexes are slowing down with advancing age and he also has been facing or experiencing considerable problems with sighting the red cherry and has even resorted to using contact lenses as well as spectacles in an effort to set right this anomaly........
The advent of Shikhar Dhawan and his meteoric accession to the opener's slot has also certainly added to Sehwag's discomfiture and made the seemingly insurmountable task of regaining his lost place that much more arduous and ponderous...........
Yes it is true that Sehwag has only batted in the middle order in 10 out off the 185 odd innings or outings that he has had at the crease in Indian colours and his average as a middle order batsman is nothing much to write home about; but one should also not loose sight of the fact that Tendulkar's retirement is just a matter of time and the same will certainly leave a gaping hole in India's middle order that can only be filled up with a batsman who has the experience as well as wherewithal to step into these gargantuan shoes......
Sehwag certainly more than fits into the mould and there is no earthly or cricketing reason why the selectors should not be taking a fresh and renewed look at him as India's next number four batsman for the next five to six seasons as a new kid on the block would require a minimum of 10-12 test matches to find his feet and establish himself at the highest level while Sehwag has already been there and done that...........
And who better than Sehwag knows what is best for him at this stage of his career, if he wants to don the role of a middle order batsman, so be it, the selectors and team management should certainly accord the opportunity to this proven talent.........
Will the selectors put their heads together and accord the Nawab of Najafgarh his due wish, or then will they continue to persist with their head in the sand attitude and ask him to continue in his already established role as an opening batsman of note, well your guess in this regard is as good as mine..........
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