Virender Sehwag unfolds why India became the No.1 ranked Test team
Virender Sehwag unfolds why India became the No.1 ranked Test team
India bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah has caught the attention of the world cricketing fraternity and another case in point was illustrated at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. As team India bundled up West Indies for just 100 runs in the second innings after declarings at 343/7, to set the total of 419. it was again the bowlers who stole the show.
Talking to IANS, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag stated that it is the consistancy manifested by the bowlers in recent times that has moulded team India into world beaters and the number one ranked Test side.
“It is not that we didn’t have quality bowlers before. In my time we had the likes of Javagal Srinath, Ashish (Nehra) and Zaheer Khan and its great to see the way Jasprit Bhumrah, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the likes of Umesh (Yadav) -- he has been around for a long time -- have performed. It is good to see the way these bowlers are bowling -- and ensures we are a formidable line-up,” he said.
While, India annihilated the Caribbean side in Antigua, Ben Stokes displayed an excellent performance in Leeds to clinch victory over Australia in the Ashes.
Eventhough, Virender Sehwag was considered to be the most destructive opener of his time, he always held a special place in his heart for red ball cricket. Sehwag also feels that such performance are for sure an excellent promotion for Test cricket.
“The championship has come at the right time is what I feel. When there are such exciting matches (Ashes) it will be great to have the Test Championships. This will be great for the playing nations and for the format... more exciting and more competitive,” he pointed.
At a time when Steve Smith’s injury had the whole world talk about protection and how the ICC should come up with ways to set the seal on palyers safety, Virender Sehwag suggested that the bowlers were also worthy of some leeways as the rules have already given the batsmen quite an edge as fast bowlers can bowl only two bouncers in an over.
“I never used the chest pad in my life... So I don’t think I need to use neck pads. Batsmen have the bat in hand, helmet on head, what more do you need? Let’s give something to the bowlers,” he said.
Furthermore, Virender Sehwag went on to say that the current speculations surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are invention of false impression of the media.
“I think these are all media created. They bat together and chit chat when they are at the crease; they also talk to each other when they are fielding in the slips... so I don’t see any enmity or fight there. Its all created by you guys,” he signed off.