He has always gone with his gut feelings. When the entire world was narrating Virender Sehwag’s story of missed chances, something inside him told that the climax would be zarra hat ke, and very much in his own ishtyle. So Sehwag is back in the limelight, arising from the remotest corners of selection strategies. The Delhi opener was drafted into the Test team for the Australia tour, even after he was left out of the initial list of 24 probables.

“I was confident that I always had a chance to go to Australia. Even after I was left out of the 24, I had a feeling that maybe I still stood a chance. Now that I have made it, I am feeling really proud of being selected and get a chance to do a duty that’s considered a great challenge for any cricketer. I have done well against Australia in the past, opening the innings there, and I will do well again this time,” Sehwag said, on his return from Nagothane after leading Delhi to a win over Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy game. He scored just 9 in the first innings and didn’t get a second stint in the game.

Sehwag is not unduly worried about his recent lack of form. “I am not at all worried. Why should I be? I know from within how it’s (his batting form) panning out. I have some time with me; 2-3 days is also a good time and I have more time in Australia too. I have decided to go back on my tried and tested theory that got me my previous success in Australia. I am going back to my academy and start to practise long hours on cemented wickets with synthetic balls to counter the bounce and pace of those wickets,” he said.

... contd.