Virender Sehwag and Shane Warne have a lot in common and also nothing at all. On the field, they are maverick geniuses with their respective weapons in hand.
MUMBAI: Virender Sehwag and Shane Warne have a lot in common and also nothing at all. On the field, they are maverick geniuses with their respective weapons in hand. The limits are erased, the expectations skyrocket and the thrill is unexplainable. If one is the only two-time Indian triple centurion, the other has to his credit the ‘ball of the century’ and 708 mystified victims in Test cricket.
Outside the boundary lines, the two couldn’t be more different. Warney attracts controversy and women like politicians do sycophants, while Viru is involved in a lifetime affair with his beautiful wife Aarti and a glass of milk.
On Friday, the two wonder-men will try to upstage the other as the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) moves towards its climax. Sehwag’s Delhi Daredevils are up against Warne’s Rajasthan Royals in the first semifinal, to be
played at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday.
Warne team’s comes into the last four topping the table with 22 points from their 14 matches. They won 11 matches, were unconquerable at home, and lost only thrice. Though their first defeat was to Sehwag’s Daredevils in their opening game of the tournament, the Royals since then have transitioned into a formidable side.
While Australian all-rounder Shane Watson (392 runs, strike rate 149.04) and South African Graeme Smith (416 runs, strike rate 121.99) have been destructive with the bat, ably supported by their joker-in-the-pack Yusuf Pathan (334 runs, strike rate 182.51), Warne has led by example taking 17 wickets. Pakistan’s Sohail ‘the weird action’ Tanvir has been Warney’s trump card with the ball, with 21 scalps.
However, Warne attributes the success of his team to every member. “Every player is equal in my side and we try to perform as a team. There aren’t too many big names in my squad, but all are match-winners. I ensure everyone is treated equally and get the best to give their best. In their betterment is my betterment,” says the Royals’ captain.
His leadership in the tournament as been inspirational and makes one wonder whether the blonde from Victoria could have been the best captain Australia never had. Warne has taken a team, considered rank outsiders and also the cheapest franchisee at $67 million, to the semifinals, when few gave them any hope. But then setting Twenty20 cricket as benchmark could be foolhardy.
The Delhi Daredevils, meanwhile, are in the semifinals thanks to the Royals, after their last-ball win over the Mumbai Indians ensured the onward passage for the Delhites. On their way, the Daredevils have played close matches, which they believe have prepared them well for the Friday’s high-pressure game.
As Dennis Lillee, Delhi Daredevils’ advisor, said on the match eve: “We have had three recent semifinal-like situations. We have played close matches, which I believe, has steeled the team for tomorrow’s clash. We are feeling confident.” Daredevils have a fearsome opening pair in Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who with 523 runs is the second highest run-getter in the tournament till now, 70 behind Shaun Marsh. Shikhar Dhawan has been the surprise package scoring 335 runs.
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