Thursday, 17 June 2010

Sehwag’s back after shoulder injury
Cracks breezy 69 in a local match and declares himself match fit for Asia Cup

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

New Delhi: Virender Sehwag on Junr 8 successfully tested his injured shoulder with a dashing and satisfying knock, which gave him a good reason to smile and crack jokes with some of his close friends at the end of a fruitful day.

The quick fire half-century was enough for Sehwag to declare himself match fit for the Asia Cup beginning in Sri Lanka on June 15.

“Yes, I have recovered from the shoulder injury and am fully fit for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the Test series that will follow,” Sehwag told Mail Today after guiding Rajnigandha Cricket Club to the semi-finals of the 34th Lala Raghubir Singh Memorial Tournament.

Sehwag, who returns to the Indian team as vice-captain for the Sri Lankan tour, missed the World Twenty20 in the West Indies recently as well as the ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe. Due to a similar injury on the same shoulder he had missed the last year’s World Twenty20 too.

While the full-strength Indian team was struggling in the Caribbean and the second-string in Zimbabwe, Sehwag was working hard on his shoulder at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. He slogged it out under the supervision of physiotherapist Paul Close and strength and conditioning expert Paul Chapman.

“I did a lot of shoulder exercises at the NCA. I am especially thankful to Close and Chapman for the treatment that lasted about four-five weeks. Thanks to both of them, I am back in shape,” said the 31-year-old opener. “I am also thankful to the BCCI for establishing a wonderful facility in the form of NCA. You get everything that you require there. It’s such a wonderful place.”

Sehwag’s last big game was the One-day International against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24. On his return to competitive cricket, however, he was satisfied with his outing.

“I felt very good in today’s game, though I felt a little bit tired after the match. It was because I was playing a match after a long time. But, thankfully, the weather was good. More than anything, I am happy that we won the match. It was the real pleasure,” he said modestly.

Sehwag cracked 69 off just 38 deliveries, smashing eight boundaries and four sixes in his inimitable style as Rajnigandha, chasing Air India’s 296 for nine in 40 overs, finished with 299 for eight in 18 overs at Modern School (Barakhamba Road) for a two-wicket win. Amardeep Sonkar won man of the match award for his 82 (69 balls, 9x4s,1x6). In the semi-finals,
Rajnigandha will play Malik Sports on Saturday.

Earlier, when Air India batted, off-spinner Sehwag turned his arm over to good effect and captured two wickets for 13 in the only over he bowled.

Sehwag is keen to utilise the time he is in Delhi before leaving for a two-day camp of the Indian team in Chennai on the way to Colombo. “I will play a couple of more matches because match practice is much better than net practice,” he said.

Sehwag not only batted and bowled well, but he had some fun too. Visibly satisfied with his performance, he cracked jokes with some of his old club mates, including former India pacer Robin Singh (junior). With dark clouds and cool breeze providing a welcome relief – as did the absence of a large crowd -- he got an opportunity to unwind uninhibited.
(This story first appeared in Mail Today on June 9, 2010)

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