Colombo, September 08: The memories of the battering they received at the hands of Virender Sehwag at home earlier this year are still fresh in the minds of the Kiwis, who are relieved that the Indian team would be without its destructive opener in the ODI tri-series here.
New Zealand has already been trying to solve the mystrey of Tillakaratne Dilshan at the Sri Lankan order and Sehwag’s presence could have added to their woes.
Sehwag has been nursing a shoulder injury which he suffered during the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year and the Delhi lad would take time before he gets back to the action.
The demoralising effect of Sehwag can be far-reaching – fast bowler Tim Southee is yet to recover from watching his first three balls to Sehwag land on the foundations of the Deans Stand at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium, when India opened their tour on February 25.
”It is a relief,” said vice-captain Brendon McCullum when asked about the significance of Sehwag not leading off the Indian order against New Zealand on Friday.
”The way he played against us in the home summer, he was pretty terrifying at the top of the order.
”He really tore us apart so to not have him in their team is a bit of a blow for them,” McCullum admitted.
India played a couple of Twenty20 matches, a five-match ODI series and the Test series.
In India’s 3-1 victory over the Kiwis in the ODIs, Sehwag tonked 299 runs at 74.25.
The 30-year-old plundered 125 not out at Hamilton from 74 balls and a couple of fifties – his aggregate came from 199 deliveries, an amazing strike rate of 150.25. However, the return of fast bowler Shane Bond has given New Zealand some hope and McCullum said the pacer’s response was indicative of the lift Bond’s presence has given the side since he arrived from New Zealand A duty in India.
”He’s such a smart bowler, he probably doesn’t have the genuine pace he had back in the VB series a few years ago (2002) but he’s certainly a better bowler now as well with his ability to read a game, read a player and adapt accordingly.”
—Agencies