The cricketing comeback of 2008: Virender Sehwag

Making a statement

Virender Sehwag raised quite a few eyebrows when he was named in India's Test team to tour Australia in late 2007 and early 2008 as he had not been named in the initial list of probables for the tour Down Under. Sehwag had disappointed with a string of low scores in 2007 and was dropped from India's Test squad to Bangladesh and was not picked for the Test or one-day international series in England last year.

However, Sehwag made a strong return to the Indian team during the Test series in Australia and hasn't looked back since as he has gone from strength to strength and reclaimed not only his place in the Indian line-up, but has also regained the vice-captaincy role that he had lost due to his inconsistent performances in the past. Sehwag may not be looking to answer his critics, but his performances with the bat is his response to the detractors who are of the opinion that he doesn't have the technqiue to succeed in international cricket.

Well, technique or no technique, Sehwag has had phenomenal success in 2008 not only because of his talent but also due to his terrific hand-eye co-ordination. In 2008, Sehwag became only the third batsman after Sir Don Bradman and Brian Lara to make two triple centuries in Test cricket history and his half-century in Chennai in December 2008 laid the foundation for India successfully chasing one of the largest targets to win a Test match. Sehwag also had one of his better years in one-day internationals as his average of 49.61 in 2008 indicates.

In all, Sehwag scored 1,462 runs with a highest score of 319 at an average of 56.23 and strike rate of 85.84 in 14 Test matches. He also hit three centuries and six half-centuries in the 27 Test innings he played in the year. Sehwag also had a good 2008 in one-day internationals as he scored 893 runs including a century and eight half-centuries with a highest score of 119 and an average of 49.61 and strike rate of 120.02 from 18 matches. It should be no surprise then that there was no looking beyond Sehwag for our 'Cricketing comeback of the year' title.

Source: Akshay Iyer, India Syndicate
Images: AFP and AP