Virender Sehwag

It was the morning of second deepwali day called as ‘Guri Parwah’ in India. And it started off well for India as MS won the toss and it really mattered. The Ahmedabad pitch was fully batsmen supporting atleast for the day. India was playing a full strength side with Gambhir, Laxman and Ishant returning to the side.

Sehwag was as usual the ‘Gur’(English: Jaggery) for Inddia and played without any Parwah (English: Care). He was attacking, dominating, enjoying and causing a worry to the opposition. Gambhir again failed to regain his vintage 2009 form. He fell on 21 inside-edging the ball onto stumps off Jesse Ryder. But, Sehwag still flourished.

Sehwag was laughing and enjoying himself on the field. He was playing at run a bowl, but, no violence was attached. He was rather relying on timing and placement as he smacked 18 boundaries on the off side. It was 15 minutes to lunch and Sehwag had galloped to 82. But, he jut couldn’t become the fifth batsman to reach the century in the first session of a match.

Dravid was found struggling for runs. He was only able to middle the ball to the fielders. His poor form-stroking just one half-century in last nine innings was a big concern. But, eventually after striking Ryder for 2 boundaries he gained momentum. At the other end the still standing Sehwag was now struggling with fitness. He ultimately asked for a runner after tea.

Both of these managed to reach their centuries and coordinated very well in the 237 run stand they put. Sehwag reached his 14^th score of over 150 in Tests. And, Dravid too with this 30^th century of his is sixth in the list of most Test centuries. Sehwag offered a slew of opportunities to New Zeakand. When on 144 he survived a close lbw shout off Vettori. Then in the next over itself he survived a sharp caught and bowled followed by a misjudged catch a long-on by substitute fielder Bennett. And, the simplest of all was when Martin Guptill dropped a skier at midwicket.

In due course, Sehwag was bowled by Vettori while lazily attempting an inside-out drive. Dravid too bottom edged a cut short off Guptill and fell on 104.The New Zealand bowlers struggled throughout the day. It was hard for them to trouble the classy Indian batsman. India managed a 329 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets at the end of play. Overall, it was a good first day’s play. As play resumes tomorrow on the day of Deepawali-The grand festival of India, every Indian fan will look forward for the most awaited Tendulkar’s 50^th Test Century…Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Tags: Cricket, India, New Zealand, Rahul Dravid, Test Cricket, Test Series, Virender Sehwag