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The irony is inescapable. Virender Sehwag, one of the most explosive batsmen in contemporary cricket who literally had the world at his feet until recently, is fast vanishing from the public memory. No one, not even his staunch critics, had imagined such a situation till late last year.
Had he been a member of Team India, people would have come in droves today at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Ahmedabad to see him in action during the NKP Salve Trophy Challenger Series. But the presence of only a handful of spectators in the stands confirms the fact that cricket lovers are no longer interested in Sehwag.
And they didn't miss anything as far as Sehwag's performance is concerned. The once dynamic batsman, playing for India Blue against India Red, fell for 9 after struggling to survive at the crease for 31 minutes. He offered a simple catch at cover-point to S Badrinath off medium-pacer Praveen Kumar.
He needed 7 balls to open his account, which he did with a four, and after the completion of the first five overs of the India Blue innings, he was still batting on the same score. One has seldom or never seen Sehwag being checked and dominated by the bowlers in this manner for so long.
Of course, Sehwag would be the first to admit that he has only himself to blame for the sorry state that he is in today. He has got many opportunities despite his lack of form but he has failed to grab them with both hands.
He was expected to play a big innings in his original swashbuckling style today but he drove the bowler visibly hesitantly, which clearly reflected his lack of confidence.
Everyone knows how and in what manner Sehwag was selected for the World Cup in the West Indies earlier this year in spite of his horrendous form with the willow, which just didn't even merit him being considered in the squad, let alone the playing eleven.
With India being sent packing from the first round itself, Sehwag didn't get too many chances to prove his worth. Of course, he scored a blazing century; but that came against the lowly Bermuda.
With India's fall and humiliation being complete after the defeat against Sri Lanka, the Delhi batsman's chances of continuing in the national side became bleak. Still, he was lucky enough to be picked in the team for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. But he again disappointed the fans the selectors and his vintage power with the willow was conspicuous by its absence.
He had yet another chance to prove his worth when he was picked in the Indian XI that took on the Australians in the one-off Twenty20 game at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. But, as expected, his wretched form continued to chase him like his shadow.
Poor Sehwag! He isn't 30 yet and rather than becoming a finished product he looks like finishing himself at an age when top batsmen like him attain full maturity.
Not long ago, Sehwag seemed to have the measures of most bowlers regardless of his alleged lack of footwork and proper technique. Now the picture has changed. Today the bowlers appear to have Sehwag's measures! They now play on Sehwag's weaknesses, both in terms of technique and temperament, relegating him to an ordinary batsman.
Let's face it. Sehwag has lost his touch and confidence. He is still hungry for runs, for success, but the two are increasingly eluding him. Sehwag hasn't done anything noticeable, leave alone extraordinary, in recent times and he gives an impression of playing for every team on his past reputation only.
India still needs Sehwag. He is too rare a gem to be lost so easily and so suddenly. But he has to work hard to regain his form, his glory, his celebrity status and, most importantly, his place in Team India.
But it won't be possible if he doesn't improve his technique, his footwork and his shot selection, among others. The sooner he realises this, the better. But it really isn't a pleasant sight to see Sehwag struggle at the crease the way he has been doing for the last many months.