Sehwag bats for Test cricket as Dhoni sweeps ICC nominations

The public might be enchanted with the Twenty20 format but swashbuckling Indian opener Virender Sehwag prefers to play Tests and ODIs more than the shortest form of the game that has taken the cricket world by storm.

The way Virender Sehwag bats one could easily believe that he is largely unaware of the fact that cricket is played in different formats.

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At more than run a ball in every format Sehwag could possibly have been rejoicing at the advent of Twenty20 format. But that's as far away from truth as it could get.

“I prefer playing Tests,” Sehwag said in Mumbai on Wednesday. “I am a big fan of 50-over matches and Tests. I like to play more Tests but unfortunately have been getting more of T20's.”

While the whole cricketing world seems to be writing the obituary for the 50-over format and debating the future of Tests, Sehwag's comments might give the whole issue a new perspective.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said, “It is wonderful to hear players talk about Tests and one-dayers.

Critics keep saying one or the other form is gone. A year ago they were talking about demise of Tests but we have found increase in interest.”

Sehwag and Lorgat were in the city to announce the nominations for the ICC Awards. The Indian batsman said that with T20, cricket is going to grow faster. “Next 5 years, cricket is going faster, we will see lots of younger players, lot of opportunities,” he said.

“In my days I liked to play Tests and 50 overs, but in the coming years I tihnk T20 will take over everything.”

Sehwag urged the ICC to introduce a world championship for Tests.

“If you are going to have a Test world championship every player would be happy, Test matches are the real test,” said Sehwag.

Indian nominees

Cricketer of the Year

Dhoni, Gambhir, Harbhajan

Test Player of the Year

Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Laxman and Harbhajan

ODI Player of the Year

Dhoni, Yuvraj, Sehwag

Emerging Player

Amit Mishra

Twenty20 International Performance of the Year

Zaheer Khan

Women's Cricketer of the Year

Mithali Raj (Ind)
Priyanka Roy (Ind)