Sehwag’s unbeaten 201 out of 329 was no isolated case. The Galle collapse —four wickets in 15 minutes for nine runs — was just a more emphatic illustration of how his style of play inexplicably works to the detriment of the other normally free-flowing batsmen who make up the Indian line-up.

The instances are as appalling as they are numerous. At Lord’s in July of 2002, India were 128 for one with Sehwag trotting along on 84 off 95 balls. After his dismissal in the 34th over, Tendulkar scored at a strike-rate of 26, Dravid 28 and Sourav Ganguly 16 — way below their career marks as they discovered demons in the wicket that Sehwag’s batting should’ve dispelled. India were bowled out for 221 and, two days later, lost by 170 runs.

In 2003, his 195 at Melbourne in a single day — India were 141 without loss and 311 when he was the fourth batsman out — led to the last six wickets crumbling for 55 over the next 24 overs. Three mornings later, India lost by nine wickets.

In Bangalore against Pakistan, 14 months later, he got 201 out of the first-innings 449 and 38 off 53 balls as India were 87 without loss on the fifth morning while chasing 383 for victory. But Sehwag’s run-out once again sent defensive chills in the Indian dressing-room. Dravid got 16 off 64 balls, Tendulkar 16 off 98, Laxman five off 29, Ganguly two off 14 and Dinesh Karthik nine off 44. It was soon 164/7 with the run-rate plummeting from 3.6 till Sehwag was at the crease to 1.6 after his departure. Naturally, Pakistan wrapped up the Test in the final session.

... contd.