The crowd at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) and all his fans around the world, were waiting to see Virender Sehwag bat after a long time. They were hoping that he will come out and smash some runs with his big bat.
Kings XI Punjab won the toss and chose to bowl first. Punjab’s bowlers bowled well and restricted Hobart Hurricanes to 144.
Now it was time for Virender Sehwag to come out with his opening partner. The whole stadium erupted with noise when they saw Virender Sehwag walking towards the 22-yards in his trademark fashion; flexing his arms, twisting his waist and looking heavenward.
Sehwag went through his usual routine; taking guard, chirping and smiling with umpires, and doing all that he does to make batting look ridiculously easy.
Umpire said play and Doug Bollinger came running and bowled short and wide. Virender Sehwag’s eyes lit up when he saw the width and he slashed hard at it. The ball flew away, but straight into the hands of Cameron Boyce, who was well positioned at third man. It was a golden duck for Virender Sehwag. He walked back slowly looking at the toe end of his bat. The crowd couldn’t believe it. But, that’s how Virender Sehwag plays. If it’s there to hit, he will throw his bat at it. That’s how he has played this game, and he’s never going to change.
For Sehwag fans, it was a ‘vintage Virender Sehwag‘ moment. For a moment, they must have thought that Sehwag will play cautiously, he will take his time at the start, he will be keen to impress the selectors. But no, Virender Sehwag played like Virender Sehwag.
It might sound bizarre, but for many Sehwag fans, watching Virender Sehwag’s golden duck was like falling in love with him, all over again, because the good ol’ Viru can never change.
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[table]
[/table] by
The Cricket Analyst
