'I found no-one difficult today' - Sehwag
Virender Sehwag, who became the quickest Indian to 3000 runs on the way to his belligerent 201 on the third day of the final Test against Pakistan, spoke to the press at the end of the day
Osman Samiuddin
26-Mar-2005
Virender Sehwag, who became the quickest Indian to 3000 runs on the way to his belligerent 201 on the third day of the final Test against Pakistan, spoke to the press at the end of the day.
 |
|
On his record against Pakistan
My aim is to score against anybody whether it is Pakistan or anybody else. My aim is to just play my normal game and score runs.
My aim is to score against anybody whether it is Pakistan or anybody else. My aim is to just play my normal game and score runs.
On the difference between his Mohali century and here
About 25-30 runs. You try and learn from your mistakes from other innings and when you play a long one like this then it feels good.
About 25-30 runs. You try and learn from your mistakes from other innings and when you play a long one like this then it feels good.
On the state of the match
The wicket is still very good for batting. It depends on how we play tomorrow, if we bat well till tea for example then the pressure will be on Pakistan whether they want to play for a draw or go for a win. If we get near 500 quickly enough then the pressure will be on Pakistan.
The wicket is still very good for batting. It depends on how we play tomorrow, if we bat well till tea for example then the pressure will be on Pakistan whether they want to play for a draw or go for a win. If we get near 500 quickly enough then the pressure will be on Pakistan.
On getting out to Danish Kaneria
I think after I reached my 200 it would have helped if there was a gap of about one over in between. I lost my concentration a little bit. My aim was to stay and bat throughout the day but I was very sad at getting out so soon after my double century.
I think after I reached my 200 it would have helped if there was a gap of about one over in between. I lost my concentration a little bit. My aim was to stay and bat throughout the day but I was very sad at getting out so soon after my double century.
On whom he found most difficult to face
I found no-one difficult today.
I found no-one difficult today.
On adapting between one-day and Test matches
I don't want to change my game whatever the situation or the type of match. If you are performing well and scoring runs then you don't need to adapt your game. You don't need to change your thinking if you are doing well.
I don't want to change my game whatever the situation or the type of match. If you are performing well and scoring runs then you don't need to adapt your game. You don't need to change your thinking if you are doing well.
On his confrontation with Mohammad Sami
I think I handled it well enough. He was trying to bowl short into my ribs and I just defended it. I just knew that I wasn't getting out to his bowling. He was trying to put pressure on me by having a chat, trying to distract me but it wasn't interesting enough for me to repeat it here.
I think I handled it well enough. He was trying to bowl short into my ribs and I just defended it. I just knew that I wasn't getting out to his bowling. He was trying to put pressure on me by having a chat, trying to distract me but it wasn't interesting enough for me to repeat it here.
On who he dedicated this innings to
My wife, she was here today.
My wife, she was here today.
On the pace of his batting
I don't think about the pace of my batting. The only thing in my mind is that I have to hit the loose balls to the boundary. If I miss out, I always think I can do it off the next ball.
I don't think about the pace of my batting. The only thing in my mind is that I have to hit the loose balls to the boundary. If I miss out, I always think I can do it off the next ball.
On becoming the fastest Indian to reach 3000 runs
I didn't know I was the fastest but I knew I was going to reach the landmark today.
I didn't know I was the fastest but I knew I was going to reach the landmark today.
On the wicket
I don't think it is a good Test-match wicket. Pakistan made nearly 600 runs and we have made nearly 400 runs. So many runs in three days of cricket can't be a good wicket for Test match cricket. Pitches have to help both bowlers and batsmen to make it interesting.
I don't think it is a good Test-match wicket. Pakistan made nearly 600 runs and we have made nearly 400 runs. So many runs in three days of cricket can't be a good wicket for Test match cricket. Pitches have to help both bowlers and batsmen to make it interesting.
Osman Samiuddin is a freelance cricket writer based in Karachi. He is following the Pakistan team through their tour of India.