Taming of Sehwag

Look Ma, no hands!

This news is depressing. When he first blazed his way into the Indian team, Indians loved Virender Sehwag for his entertaining batting, casual demolition of bowling attacks, and carefree attitude. Here was an batsman who would, irrespective of the situation, go for his shots. He took on any and every challenge bowlers issued him. Sometimes he won that challenge and sometimes he lost miserably. Indian cricket fans didn't care. They loved his successes and sighed when he failed. His strength was to bat without any self doubts. He backed himself every single time and came out on top more often than not.

Sehwag broke all moulds for an opening batsman. If technique is god for your typical opening batsman, Sehwag eschewed technique. For, technique is for lesser mortals who don't have the kind of hand eye coordination and shot selection Sehwag has. Sehwag captured imagination because he had no fear of failure. He would walk onto the cricket field and play his shots come what may. Like all brilliant batsmen, his was an uncomplicated approach to the game. The ball was there to be hit and hit the ball resoundingly well Sehwag could.

Now, after a drought of poor scores and incessant harping on his attitude (the same attitude people initially loved him for), Indian cricket fans, media, and team management have succeeded where the opposing bowlers could not. They have successfully planted the fear of failure into his psyche. Looks like this thoroughbred has been successfully saddled.