Virender Sehwag – Bowler Basher

Fetch it!

As a cricketer, you often get asked the question: “Who would you least like to face?” I propose a different question … “Who would you least like to bowl to?”.

Having just watched the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka, my answer would have to be Virender Sehwag.

Sure, Tillekaratne Dilshan has been pretty devastating in recent months and scored a quickfire 150 in the same match, while Kumar Sangakkara is arguably in the form of his life and smashed 90 at more than two-a-ball.

Looking at the other countries, Chris Gayle would probably come a close second to Sehwag, though consistency has always stood between him and being a world great.

Australia obviously have Ricky Ponting, though he’s not what’d you’d call a basher,  and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi – while arguably hitting the longest ball – is more miss than hit.

As for South Africa, Herschelle Gibbs would probably be the one but, like Gayle, his record has never quite warranted the incredible talent he possesses.

No, for me it is Sehwag. Whatever the game – be it Twenty/20, ODI or Tests – his approach doesn’t change.

He averages over 52 in Test at an incredible 80 strike-rate and recently hit 293 off just 254 balls, with 40 fours and 7 sixes.

In ODIs he’s nearing 7 000 runs at more than 102 strike-rate – and that’s as an opening bat.

No, if ever given the opportunity to bowl at Sehwag, I’m pretty sure I’ll ‘do a hammy’ in my first delivery’s run-up.