Share

Sehwag seeks staying power

Bangalore - Hard-hitting Indian opener Virender Sehwag on Friday sounded a warning to rival bowlers ahead of the World Cup, saying he planned to bat right through the innings.

Sehwag, who opens the innings with batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar, is known for giving his team flying starts with his hard and clean hitting and has so far scored 7,380 runs in 228 one-dayers with 13 centuries.

"I think I have never played 50 overs in one-day cricket. The maximum I have played is 43 or 44 overs," said Sehwag, 32.

"But this time, I will try to bat 50 overs and give a good start to the team. I have been unsuccessfully trying this for the past 10 years, but the effort is still on."

Sehwag said he was not feeling any pressure as his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten had always backed him to play his natural game.

"The coach and captain just allow me to bat the way I bat. So, they are not putting any pressure on me. They have said 'you just go and play your natural game'," said Sehwag.

"My role is to go out there and enjoy myself and give a good start to the team. If I score 20 runs in 10 balls or 100 in 70 or 80 balls, I am happy with that."

He said India were eagerly looking forward to their opening match against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19, a repeat of their 2007 World Cup clash in the Caribbean where they lost by five wickets.

The defeat eventually led to India's first-round exit.

"I think we have lost just two games against Bangladesh, including the one in the World Cup," said Sehwag.

"We know that in the last World Cup we lost to them, so we are waiting for the match against Bangladesh. We are charged up for the game and hopefully, we will do well against them this time."

Sehwag, who missed a recent one-day series in South Africa due to a shoulder injury, is also a useful off-spinner, having taken 92 wickets.

India are in Group B with South Africa, England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands, with the top four sides making it to the quarter-finals.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE