India openers must change approach
Anshuman Gaekwad, the former India batsman, writes in DNA that Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are not focusing enough on defence in Australia
Dustin Silgardo
25-Feb-2013
Anshuman Gaekwad, the former India batsman, writes in DNA that Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are not focusing enough on defence in Australia. Gaekwad writes about the extreme methods of preparation batsmen of his generation used to prepare for tours, and says that Sehwag, in particular, is not living up to his talent.
Mohinder Amarnath, now a member of the national selection panel, told bowlers to bowl from halfway down the pitch. That’s how seriously he prepared for a foreign tour. And mind you, we trained with ‘real’ cricket balls. There was a risk of getting injured even before the tour started. But we took our chances. Your concentration had to be impeccable, your footwork immaculate, your timing perfect and your judgment spot on. Anything outside the off or leg stump was left alone. Like I said before, the idea was always to stay on the wicket. Runs would follow.
Dustin Silgardo is a former sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo