The Gentle Bomber. Review on Virendra Sehwag

Eat Cricket, Sleep Cricket and Love Cricket. Well, I don't mind doing that, more so, when India is playing like Tyson Champions. And one man who's vastly responsible for this turnaround in India's fortunes is Virendra Sehwag. A Dream Sensation who thrashes the best bowlers of the world as if he is playing in his neighbourhood Mohalla.

Sehwag, the bomber, is spearheading the burst of fresh talent in Indian team. He was part of the phase of Indian cricket a couple of years ago when the likes of Badani, Kanitkar, Vijay, Ritender Sodhi, Saba Karim etc. sparkled for a short while and then faded away. One thought that Sehwag may not make a permanent place for himself as in spite of decent show, he was constantly hampered by injuries. But, it is obvious that he had some other plans.

The way Viru has played in the last few months can be described in just one word: SENSATIONAL. He has put up an impeccable show in both the Tests as well as One Day Internationals. The run rate races away to glory the moment General Sehwag shoots Patriot Missiles to the fence. The Scuds of the likes of Polluck, Cadick, Hoggard are hushed away as if shooing away the Flies.

The thing that I find very special in him is his simple demeanour. His Man-of-the-match speeches are laced with child-like ''I am very happy'' and a loud grin that tells a lot about a champ who's enjoying himself tremendously. But, he is the same guy who Klusener, Kallis and Polluck dreaded when he bowled gentle off cutters in the crucial phase of the India-South Africa Semi Final in the ICC Champions Trophy. He wanted dot balls. And he got them. The loud appeals germinating after each ball must not have been jingle bells for the Umpires. His appealing is very aggressive, and it surely pumps up the game.

It is this aggressive approach while batting that has earned him accolades, and some brick bats too. During an informal chat with Sunil Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle during India-England series, he firmly said, the times have changed and the modern cricket is bound to get affected by the more popular One day format. And hence the runs have to come fast.

He is known to be an avid Sachin fan. Infact, he looks almost like the Master Batsman with his helmet on. The blistering shots are on the similar lines as well. But, it is unfair to say that Sachin grew a Goatee so that he may look different from Sehwag. Sachin is a Phenomenon. He has seen many careers blossom and fade away. It won't be in the interest of Indian Cricket that such comparisons are given any credence beyond a point. Sehwag is an extremely gifted player in his own right. Let's back him up for what he is and not as someone who's a Sachin Clone.

Vireder Sehwag, the bomber from Najafgarh. And yes, he's got a Tremendous future.

PS: Hope India WINS the Final. I will be dancing with joy. What about YOU!!!!