Sehwag sets for Sydney

Jan 01: Team India is all set to summon up its flamboyant strokeplayer Virender Sehwag as opener for second Test against Australia at Sydney starting from tomorrow in a desperate bid to stage a comeback into the series.

Virender Sehwag’s return would not only put the burden off from beleaguered Rahul Dravid, gave a chance to sort India out its opening blues. It will also help them to resolve the batting order to the perfection in the Sydney Test.

The Wall (Dravid) is under immense pressure, performing as a makeshift opener, after getting out on 5 and 16 in both the innings of first Test from a total of 180 balls.

Sehwag’s return to pair Wasim Jaffer in opening would allow Dravid to get back into his usual slot at No.3 with the out-of-form Yuvraj Singh (0 and 5) is surely to make way if selectors choose to make a change.

The 29-year-old Attacking India opener will certainly get the nod ahead of another opener Dinesh Kaarthick as Indian skipper Anil Kumble openly talked about Sehwag in the pre-match conference admitting that he is also under consideration.

The Nawab of Najafgarh from Delhi scored an awesome 195 in the Melbourne Test against Australia four years ago and averages 49.46 from 52 Tests with 12 centuries, Sehwag has made two centuries against Australia and averages 49.76 in nine matches.

"We have time until tomorrow morning, we'll still think about it " Kumble said on Tuesday at his pre-match press conference at the SCG.

Keeping his cards close to his chest Kumble didn’t reveal the team composition but hinted few changes, "There are a few things in the mind but I don't like to share it now,” said Kumble.

“Sehwag looked in good from whatever we've seen in the nets and we're not concerned too much about his form. He's hitting the ball well and he's in the scheme of things,” said Kumble.

"Before he lost form and was made to sit out, he was a very important member of the team as he brings in a carefree attitude to the team."

Kumble also said he had advised Dravid to relax a bit. He had an average of 55.45 in 116 Tests with 24 centuries. The 34-year-old veteran also struggled in Melbourne but Kumble said he expected he would be much better in Sydney.

Skipper also urged his team-mates to adopt a similar approach and raise their intensity after a dismal outing in the previous Test.

"It is just one of those things that he needed to relax. I did have a chat with Dravid, he's aware of that," Kumble said.

Kumble’s rival captain Ponting also had the similar view in his mind and feels that Delhi bomber might face the first ball at Sydney.

I had a long and hard thought about it and believe they could bring in a couple of changes and could bring in Virender Sehwag to take the pressure off Rahul Dravid," Ponting said in the pre-match press conference in Sydney.

Skipper Ponting said that his team had the momentum after the 337-run victory in Melbourne, but warned his side not to take the opponents lightly as they have the tenacity to make a comeback.

"We have the momentum going but if we just sit back and expect it to happen, India is a good enough side to let the momentum going. It could cause us a headache," Ponting opined.

Ponting also foresees a battle shaping up between Sachin Tendulkar and Brett Lee in this Test. "When Sachin is playing his shots, it doesn't make many bowlers happy. He looked to play his shots in both the innings and played beautifully in the first innings," he recalled.

"But having said that, Brett (Lee) bowled a very high quality spell to him in the second knock. Brett has bowled well to him in India, got him a couple of times, so it could be a great contest between the two in this series," he added.

Ponting was bit disappointed with his own form, but said that he was confident to be among the runs after his poor run with the bat at the MCG.

" I have scored five or six centuries at this venue. So hopefully I can return to my scoring ways and get over the lean spell in MCG," he said.