A motivational ploy of putting him in the middle order seems to have worked in stoking
Virender Sehwag's appetite for runs, it was claimed by coach Greg Chappell
in an interview today.
"Viru was put in the middle order as a cover for Yuvraj
Singh in case the latter didn't return in time as well as to motivate him.
Something has worked," Chappell told PTI after the dashing right-hander
had contributed 46 in India's series-winning cause against Sri Lanka
in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
Sehwag, who had drawn much flak in the media over his poor
form of late having failed to score a single century in the last 59 ODIs, opened
the innings on Saturday and batted with characteristic flourish to re-ignite
the almost dying hopes on his form and attitude.
The Delhi dasher was initially projected as a middle order
batsman for the World Cup in media by Chappell but the Australian now claims
it was all a part of his plan to challenge Sehwag to reclaim his batting style.
Chappell indicated in no uncertain terms that Sehwag would
now bat in any of the first three batting slots in the World Cup. Sehwag has
batted in 134 of his 167 one day internationals as opener and seems set
to resume the role.
As a reverse psychology, it also seems to have worked for Yuvraj
who was struggling for fitness and form and made a handsome return to form with
an innings of 95 in the last game against Sri Lanka.
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