A friend not in need is not a friend after all. We go back a couple of years. Virender shewag was axed from ODI and test teams. There were many people in this world, probably more than even the number of cricket followers, who doubted his ability and skills to play at this level. The former cricketers, experts and the selection committee were quite cold to shewag. The openers’ responsibilities were in hands of Jaffers and Karthiks. Shewag was bit of an untouchable during the crisis of his life and he was a lonely man.
Shewag needed an arena where he can not only prove his ever increasing critics wrong but also resuscitate his almost dead career. He, like his peers, was willing to play in English county championships. To his horror, the English counties just turned their back on him. In a country, where senior batsman are rested rather than dropped, shewag was plain speaking when he told- “there were no takers.”
Two years later, England is facing shewag in a full series and look what happens. In ODI series, shewag scores are 85 of 73 balls, 1 of 4 balls, 68 of 76 balls, 69 of 57 balls and 91 of 73 balls. England lose 5-0. Apart from the scoreline 5-0, what hurt and made England to bleed profusely was two factors; the yuvraj’s and shewag’s innings. The English then returned to play test series and 4 days into the 1st test, they were on top of confident India team and the test was almost in their pockets. But, shewag unleashed a breath-taking cavalier innings of 83 off 68 balls on a 4th day weary and crateful wicket. This innings had everything; vision, impetus, attitude and execution.
There are accolades from every quarter. The England press and commentators are amazed at his ability, skills and versatility. People sit upright and sit on edge of their chairs when this man bats. People have so much to speak when this man bats. There’s joy, spirits and laughter everywhere when this man bats. The clock has come a full circle for this man. He had a friend in the ring who did not aid when he was in need and then he just murdered him!
Shewag needed an arena where he can not only prove his ever increasing critics wrong but also resuscitate his almost dead career. He, like his peers, was willing to play in English county championships. To his horror, the English counties just turned their back on him. In a country, where senior batsman are rested rather than dropped, shewag was plain speaking when he told- “there were no takers.”
Two years later, England is facing shewag in a full series and look what happens. In ODI series, shewag scores are 85 of 73 balls, 1 of 4 balls, 68 of 76 balls, 69 of 57 balls and 91 of 73 balls. England lose 5-0. Apart from the scoreline 5-0, what hurt and made England to bleed profusely was two factors; the yuvraj’s and shewag’s innings. The English then returned to play test series and 4 days into the 1st test, they were on top of confident India team and the test was almost in their pockets. But, shewag unleashed a breath-taking cavalier innings of 83 off 68 balls on a 4th day weary and crateful wicket. This innings had everything; vision, impetus, attitude and execution.
There are accolades from every quarter. The England press and commentators are amazed at his ability, skills and versatility. People sit upright and sit on edge of their chairs when this man bats. People have so much to speak when this man bats. There’s joy, spirits and laughter everywhere when this man bats. The clock has come a full circle for this man. He had a friend in the ring who did not aid when he was in need and then he just murdered him!
