Why Sehwag doesn't learn

Lightning strikes from the very first ball of the innings – he sends the ball smacking and the bowlers packing. Fielders run for cover and the fielding captain begins to shiver. This onslaught continues until he throws away his wicket. Welcome to the world of Virender Sehwag.

Many recognize him as a disciple of the little master Sachin – right from his stance to the extremely fruitful hand-eye co-ordination that can pick any length to ease. Be it the most demolishing fast bowler or a weaving magical spinner, the don’t care attitude has de-motivated every opposition until smart captains realized Viru’s unforgivable potential of throwing away his own precious wicket after setting up a beautiful stage. It is most similar to David Bechkam missing out on a penalty shoot out, that too sending the ball over the goalkeeper outside the goal scoring area. But Viru’s wicket-throwing capability can be analogous to one such soccer star who does a Beckham even without a goal keeper in place.

Every cricketer takes guard with one thing in mind – not to lose his wicket. Of course, scoring runs is primary, but it can only be done on preserving the wicket. I personally get embarrassed when I give my wicket away, even in under-arm cricket. The art of preserving the wicket is not easy, but can be mastered and for all reasons it should run in the blood of any cricketer playing at the international level. Proper shot selection is one of the key lessons taught in coaching centers and I’m sure every coach will expect compliance at it. Poor shot selections can cost a wicket that could most often lead to a loss through butterfly effect.

Like most parents who keep complaining about their brilliant child for careless performances in examinations, there is every sense when Viru fans will keep complain about his lackadaisical attitude. With the capacity of scoring big scores being self-disturbed due to negligence and irresponsibility, no true cricket fan would be able to digest. Few cricketers are gifted with the ability to score of any delivery, but a genius proactively takes responsibility to care for it and Viru seldom does it. There are few innings (201* @ Galle) that makes us feel he is maturing enough to convert all brilliant starts into huge scores, but the very fact that he does it only once in a blue moon causes irritations in fans – and sometimes to fellow team mates. Not only it affects the break in such a brilliant innings, it also provides an overwhelming confidence in the opposition which might turn into an extreme pressure for the batters yet to come.

For a player to have scored 2 triple hundreds in tests, it shouldn’t be difficult to mature himself into a much balanced cricketer. Its high time Viru should learn to take care of his precious wicket than to shun it away in crucial situations. A little balance in shot selection should definitely convert quick starts into mighty scores.