‘I back myself to score big’

It was this knock of his that cricket website Cricinfo too chose as the best Test Innings of the Year in their annual awards function. Sehwag spoke on various other issues at the function, Subhash Rajta reports.

“It's up there amongst the best”. That’s the answer cricketers give when asked to rank a special innings.

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It’s different with Virender Sehwag, though. “It’s the double hundred against Sri Lanka in Galle last year,” he said, even before the question can be completed.

It was this knock of his that cricket website Cricinfo too chose as the best Test Innings of the Year in their annual awards function. Sehwag spoke on various other issues at the function.

Excerpts

On his best innings

I rank it ahead of my triple hundreds as it came in quite adverse conditions. Besides, I carried my bat though, something which only Sunil Gavaskar had managed for India.

On Murali and Mendis

I was more worried about playing Murali. I could pick Mendis from his hand. It was tough with Murali, I hardly pick his doosra.

On his approach and ability to score big

My mind is always clear and I back myself to score off every delivery. Whenever I get a hundred, I tell myself this is for you, and now you need to score another one for your team.

Cricinfo Awards, 2008

Tests

Best innings: Virender Sehwag (201 against Sri Lanka at Galle); Best bowling: Dale Steyn (5 for 67 against Australia in Melbourne)

ODIs

Best innings: Sanath Jayasuriya (125 against India in Asia Cup final in Pakistan)

Best bowling: Ajantha Mendis (6 for 13 vs India in Asia Cup final)