Ganguly hails Sehwag's knock

India captain Sourav Ganguly described opener Virender Sehwag's match-winning 70-ball 100 against New Zealand on Thursday as one of the best limited-overs innings ever.

It was the sixth fastest hundred in one-day cricket and the second quickest by an Indian behind Mohammad Azharuddin's 62-ball century, also against New Zealand, in 1988 at Baroda.

"Sehwag played one of the best one-day knocks ever," Ganguly said. "We were in a do-or-die situation and he delivered."

Sehwag's century helped India overhaul 264 runs and storm into the final of the triangular tournament with three straight wins after they had lost their opening three matches.

The captain, who scored 64, had the best view in the stadium at the non-striker's end as Sehwag hammered 19 fours and a six to raise his fifty in 29 balls and hundred in 69. They shared in a 143-run stand for the opening wicket.

"If somebody is playing so well, all you have to do is put him back on strike. And that's what I was trying to do," Ganguly said.

"I kept telling him to concentrate and just play his natural game. Not once did I try and stop him because he wasn't slogging but playing some great cricketing shots."

Sehwag said Ganguly proved to be a perfect ally.

"Sourav kept encouraging me and telling me to just play my natural game. So I just went out and played my shots. Fortunately it all fell into place," said the 22-year-old.

"It just takes one bad shot to cause your downfall. I was trying to concentrate on every delivery. I hope to play a similar innings in the final and help India win the title," he added.

India and New Zealand were both tied on four points each from five matches and the game was a virtual semifinal.

The scales had tilted in the Kiwis' favour after Nathan Astle's 108 helped them post a big total on a seaming wicket but Sehwag changed the odds within the first 10 overs.

"We won chasing a big total today, so that gives us a lot of confidence," Ganguly said.

India, who have lost seven one-day finals in a row, are eager to improve their record against hosts Sri Lanka in the day-night final at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

"I am very happy to come back after three losses and qualify for the finals. Now that we've got there, we want to carry on playing good cricket and go for a win," the skipper added.

Mail Cricket Editor