By IANS
Canberra : Virender Sehwag’s 12-month wait to resume his Test career could be over after smashing 113 from 78 balls for India on the last day of the three-day game against an Australian Capital Territory (ACT) XI here Saturday.
The aggressive opener says the bouncy Perth pitch where the third Test begins Wednesday holds no fears for him, even if the Australians use a four-man pace attack.
“I think the Perth wicket is good for me and good for batsmen because the ball comes on with pace and bounce so you can play your shots,” Sehwag said after his 109-minute knock which included 18 fours and two sixes.
“It’s a true wicket for both batsmen and bowlers and I love fresh challenges so if I play against four fast bowlers then it’s great for me. If I play, I will try to play with a positive mindset and play my shots. I have got my rhythm back. I have got everything back. I’m pretty confident so hopefully I’ll do well in Perth,” said Sehwag.
Opener Wasim Jaffer’s scores of 4, 15, 3 and 0 in India’s defeats in the first two Tests against Australia have left selectors pondering a quick fix at the top of the order and Delhi dasher Sehwag did his chances no harm Wednesday, reaching his century off 73 balls.
The pint-sized Sehwag, who averages 49.46 with 12 Test hundreds and a highest score of 309 in 52 matches, suddenly has the upper hand over Jaffer who failed again Wednesday, caught behind for 21 off leg-spinner Ryan Bulger.
Sehwag’s opening partner here was wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who is a contender to replace Yuvraj Singh at No.6 in Perth. Karthik missed his hundred by three runs.
Yuvraj missed out yet again, caught at cover for three to a full toss from paceman Adam Ritchard.
“It doesn’t matter we are two-nil (down) in the series. If we play well in Perth we know we can beat them. Just play with a positive mind,” Sehwag said.