By Qaiser Mohammad Ali Aug 5, 2006, 17:11 GMT
New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) If Virender Sehwag continues his re-discovered batting form in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, credit will go in some measure to the trainees of his alma mater against whom he tested brand new bats that he will take along on the upcoming tour.
Sehwag tested six new willows in the nets against the bowling of youngsters at the Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Vikaspuri, in West Delhi, while he was in the capital between two preparatory camps at Bangalore for the Indian team.
Top batsmen choose their bats extremely carefully, and Sehwag, a hard-hitting batsman who rediscovered his form on the recent tour of the West Indies, says he has to be very careful about the willow that he picks for international matches.
'I look for the 'feel' in a bat, not so much the grains of the willow or other things,' Sehwag told IANS.
Renowned batsmen also quickly discard their willow as soon it develops the first cracks. That is why batsmen carry enough bats to last them through a full overseas tour. Sehwag invariably carries six bats on his overseas tours.
He spent a few days at the nets here, probably more in order to test his new equipment for the tri-series in Sri Lanka beginning Aug 14 than to correct his technique.
'I always test bats at the nets,' he said, feeling the grip of one of the four new blades - spotless without his trademark Britannia sticker - that he had placed behind the stumps.
During his 40-minute net stint at his Vikaspuri school, Sehwag played each of the bats equally to prove their worth and become a part of his kit bag in Sri Lanka.
After Sehwag hit the historic triple century in the Multan Test against Pakistan in 2004, B.D. Mahajan (BDM) & Sons, whose equipment he uses, launched a '309 series' of bats - aptly signifying his feat of becoming the first Indian to cross the 300-mark.
'The 309 series bats continue to be made,' Sehwag said, as he play-tested four BDM 'Ton' blades. After his triple century with the 'Ton' brand, Sehwag seems to have a special liking for this brand.
During his practice here, Sehwag tried to play shots as straight as possible in the nets. The young cricketers at the school were being trained by his childhood coach, Amar Nath Sharma.
Sehwag was bowled a few times, and Sharma watched keenly from close range.
Pacer Ashwani was one of the trainees who bowled Sehwag once, prompting his school coach to ask the batsman to stretch his front foot more.
Each time Sharma, who is employed with the school where Sehwag learnt his first cricketing lessons, gave his tips, the Indian vice-captain listened attentively - but also gave his own viewpoint.
For instance, after being bowled by Ashwani, Sehwag told Sharma that he had failed to read the shine of the ball and felt that it would leave him after pitching. It came in and hit the stumps through the gate between bat and pad.
After the nets were over, the trainees lined up to get Sehwag's autograph on their bats, caps and paper while curious onlookers crowded outside the gate to get a glimpse of one of the most destructive batsman in world cricket.
© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service
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