Sehwag, the lone warrior?

Was I deceived only because I wanted to be, and because I very badly wanted to believe that this Indian team would actually go for victory?

With the exception of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, to an extent, not one of the specialist batsmen showed positive intent at the wicket during day 5 in the third Test against Pakistan.

Also Read Turning point: Doomed by defence

Sehwag's philosophy while batting is simple. He divides the pitch into sections: areas where he goes for his shots, no matter what the match situation is, and areas where defends without any prejudice. The strategy works for him though it does not mean it will work for everyone.

There was a time when having Sehwag at the top of the order meant that the rest of batsmen lower down would be supplemented by his efforts. Now, it seems to be Sehwag or nothing.

Once Sehwag is gone, the rest of the batsmen invariably withdraw into a shell. Have a look at the number of runs scored with Sehwag at the wicket and the immediate drop in run-rate as soon as he gets out. It's shocking!

India-Pakistan Test Series	Score at the fall of Sehwag's wicket	Run rate at that point	Runs added after the fall of Sehwag's wicket	Run rate after the fall of Sehwag's wicket	Shift in Run rate
Mohali, 1st Inns	334	4.16	182	2.70	-1.45
Mohali, 2nd Inns	85	5.00	-*	-	N.A.
*The match was called-off as soon as Sehwag got out in the second innings
Calcutta,1st Inns	156	4.05	251	3.45	-0.60
Calcutta, 2nd Inns	23	6.91	384	3.81	-3.09
Bangalore, 1st Inns	337	4.06	112	2.45	-1.61
Bangalore, 2nd Inns	87	3.68	127	1.92	-1.76

Cricket like any other activity in life is all about momentum. If you have the momentum, you feel good about yourself and let the opposition know about it. But exactly the opposite transpired during the just-concluded series.

On every occasion after Sehwag's dismissal the run-rate considerably dipped.

Sehwag plays out of his skin to get you in a good position; has the opposition on the ropes and it all seems like a dream. Then a wicket falls, the rest of the batsmen come in and allows the opposition back into the match.

What can this lackadaisical attitude be attributed to?

Certainly, not inexperience. The Indian middle-order is one of the most experienced in the world. The batsmen have played a combined total of 358 Tests; Sehwag has played only 34.

It is not lack of skill either.

Rahul Dravid was ICC's International Cricketer of 2004; Sachin Tendulkar is a legend of the game while Sourav Ganguly and V V S Laxman are both capable of winning matches on their own.

The defensive attitude makes one wonder if Sehwag's teammates are as overawed by his batting as the opposition.

It does not take a genius to figure out that, right now, this batting line-up undermines Sehwag's efforts at every given opportunity.

Had this Indian team gone out and played to win, it would have won the hearts of all those watching, even if it eventually succumbed to defeat. The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart.

Today, on the cricket field, Ganguly's team lost heart.

And if there is anything in the world that hurts the team's fans more than losing, it is losing without putting up a decent fight.

Where is the will and ambition that once characterized this Indian team? Is Sehwag waging a lone battle?

Mail Ashish Magotra

Statistics: Rajneesh Gupta