Will Bradman-like Sehwag play against Pakistan?

Known fondly as Nawab of Najafgarh; brutal as a beast; got an appraisal from Sachin that he “nearly” bats like him – Yes, I am trying to depict a picture of Virender Sehwag, the man who is on center stage for his omission in the previous match against Australia as a result of which India were handed a humiliating 9 wicket defeat. Ever since 2010 T20 WC, there has been talks moving around the media that Sehwag and Dhoni are at loggerheads in thoughts regarding matches. In 2010, Sehwag failed to inform Dhoni (his captain) about the injury he suffered in the then IPL semifinal against Deccan Chargers and travelled with the team. This incident revealed a sense of cold war between the captain and then vice captain. Ever since then whenever the selectors or Dhoni had to axe Sehwag, they have been at the receiving side of comments. Recently, as Sandip Patil took over the post of Chairman of Selectors, there is a rumour going around that Amarnath (now sacked from selection comittee) voiced his opinion of appointing Sehwag as test captain, citing the 8-0 washout across England and Australia in 2011/12.

Tension amidst these two players creates a hush. As India takes on Pakistan in a must-win match on Sunday, fans all over the world demand the inclusion of Sehwag in the line up saying his best comes out whenever he takes on Pakistan, be it any format. Indeed yes. Statistics reveal that his average against Pakistan across all the formats sees a peak when compared with other nations.However until today, Sehwag has played only one match against Pakistan in the shortest format.

Opposition	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	SR
All but Pakistan	364	429	16892	40.80	92.73
Pakistan	39	44	2317	52.65	89.66

Ravi Shastri, former Indian Cricketer, also insisted on Sehwag’s inclusion in the line up.He said, “You just have to look at Sehwag’s record against Pakistan – it’s Bradman-like when you look at his average against them. So Sehwag will have the psychological edge when he gets out there plus the fact that he’s been asked to sit out, and I think rightly so, in the last game against Australia, he’ll be fired up“.

However, the factor that is to be considered is Sehwag’s recent form. His last international century is his 219 – a record highest individual ODI score.

	Matches	Innings	Runs	HS	Average	SR
Untill Scoring 219*	346	406	16818	319	41.73	92.76
After Scoring 219*	18	23	574	96	24.95	91.84

Clearly Sehwag isn’t in the best of his form for the past 10 months. However, whenever its India-Pakistan match, players from both the teams tend to give all out of them to take their team through. Adding all to that, “Sehwag- The name itself is big factor”. Just 45 minutes before the start of match, Ravichandran Ashwin have hinted that India might go back with 7-4 combination. He posted ” As you people wished Virender sehwag might be back to the team :) Probably 7,4 combination! ” on his facebook page.

Fans, if weather permits, we have a cracker of a match on hand.