Man-of-the-Match Virender Sehwag and Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss had different views on the behaviour of the Rajkot wicket. However, both shared the same view on the future of ODIs — that such high-scoring encounters will keep the 50-50 format alive.
“There was nothing wrong with the wicket. It was a typical ODI track,” said Sehwag. According to the Delhi batsman, ODIs are a batsman’s game. “So such games will continue to provide entertainment to spectators,” said Sehwag at the post-match press conference.
However, Bayliss termed such batting paradises as anti-bowler. “The bowlers have to work hard,” he said. But in the same breath he added, “If someone believes ODIs are dead, then they should see today’s(Tuesday’s) match,” the Sri Lanka coach said.
Meanwhile, Sehwag, who injured his knee during the Sri Lankan innings, was out for most of the time. “Dr Nitin Patel has helped me recover fast. I am feeling nice and hopefully will be ready for the Nagpur tie,” said Sehwag.
Talking of the outcome, Sehwag said they had their fingers crossed when Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara were at the crease. “We could have lost if Sanga and Dilshan had stayed a bit longer. But full credit to Zaheer and Nehra for their excellent bowling in the death,” Sehwag said.
When asked if they missed the services of Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga, Bayliss said, “Yes we did. But we don’t have control over injuries and illness. Hopefully, Malinga will be fit for Nagpur (2nd ODI). Murali needs few more days to overcome the injury.”
Sehwag reckoned Tuesday’s knock was on top of his performance list in the ODIs. “This was the best knock of my career,” he said. Bayliss gave full marks to the Indian opener. “Sehwag is in unbelievable form. It is very difficult to stop him. We hope to get him early in future,” said the Australian.
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