Sehwag needs to fire to stay afloat

Kolkata, Feb 7 (UNI) Virender Sehwag faces a litmus test in his bid for a berth in the World Cup squad, as India go into the four-match ODI series against Sri Lanka tomorrow.

What compiles on Sehwag's agony is that he has fallen from the heights of vice-captaincy to the depths of discard in the span of three months.

Not so long ago the most destructive batsman in world cricket, the Nawab of Najafgarh, now existing on the fringes needed Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) to organise practice games for him.

Sehwag's last competitive outing was on January 10, when, having returned from a nightmarish trip to South Africa, he cracked a finely-paced 106, from the middle order, against Haryana at Rohtak.

Two days later he was dropped from the Indian team. Dilip Vengsarkar, commenting on Sehwag, said, ''He needs to go back to the nets and sort out his cricket, his batting basically.'' Since the start of this season he's averaged a paltry 14.8 in 10 matches, with just one fifty. And the form is just isn't coming. But there is no doubt that he is a vital cog to the Indian machinery and the team needs him to fire before and during World Cup.

Perhaps that's why Rahul Dravid is also protective of his maverick slam-dunger. Talking to the press today, he was unwilling to reveal his batting order. ''He will come down the order. He is comfortable playing anywhere. We will decide tomorrow where Sehwag is playing,'' he said.

However, the Chetan Desai report that questions Sehwag's commitment towards the game puts both the captain and the player in some embarrasment. Desai, quoted by a TV channel, talked about an incident where Sehwag asks for a special batting session from Greg Chappell at 0630 hrs but himself fails to turn up as he ''didn't feel like coming for practice''.

India, who are coming from a 3-1 win over West Indies in the recent home series, would like to maintain the winning momentum and the massive 6-1 victory over the Islanders a year ago could serve as a psychological cushion for the Rahul Dravid-led squad.

From Kolkata to Rajkot, all eyes will chase Sehwag, who will play the two make-or-break games of his life this week. Known as a merciless demolisher of sound bowling attacks, the Najafgarh cricketer has a point or two to prove tomorrow.

At the nets he was however a picture of concentration. He practiced his fielding with full concentration before retiring to the nets where the ball did meet the meat of the bat. Though the team management seems favourably disposed to playing Sehwag in the middle order, it could be a bit premature to draw any conclusion.

Because, coach Greg Chappell is known for his penchant for trying out different combinations.

UNI