Virender Sehwag

An extremely powerful hitter and timer of the ball, Sehwag initially resisted attempts at opening the batting.

Date of Birth: 20 October 1978, Delhi  Test Debut: Against South Africa at Bloemfontein in 2001/02  ODI Debut: Against Pakistan at Mohali in 1998/99  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Off Break

Just when India were worrying about how to fill the giant shoes of Sachin Tendulkar when he retires, along came Virender Sehwag, who not just bats like him, but looks like him, too! An extremely powerful hitter and timer of the ball, Sehwag initially resisted attempts at opening the batting. To his credit, not only did he agree to do so, he made a great success of it.

He can chip in with useful off-spin as well. However, he does tend to get a bit carried away on the field, having served a ban for excessive appealing early in his career, which also makes him lose focus at times.

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After two hugely successful tours of Australia in 2003 and Pakistan in 2004, Sehwag has been going through a lean patch as has been evident in recently concluded Asia Cup, Videocon Cup and ICC Championship Trophy. In the recently concluded India-Australia Test series, with all the top order failing, Sehwag too didn't eaxctly shine but nonetheless showed signs of regaining form when he scored a century (155 - first innings) in the rain-marred drawn Test in Chennai and followed it up with half century (58) in the Nagpur Test.

Strengths: Very hard hitter; scores fast

Weaknesses: Tends to throw away wicket; suspect when it comes to grafting out runs

What others say: “The confidence that Sehwag exudes in the middle speaks for the man's approach. I have seen very few batsmen who walk out with such confidence and the best thing about Sehwag is that he knows his job well,” said Navjot Sidhu.

“He will have his share of failures, but when he strikes form, he will win games for his country. He is a match-winner and should be treated as one,” said Kris Srikanth.