Virender Sehwag's 155 almost single-handedly put India in the driver's seat in the second Test against Australia in Chennai on Friday.
For the Nawab of Najafgarh the knock was more than satisfying because of the slump in form he was in the midst of.
"It was difficult [the poor form], but I knew I had the ability to come back. It was only a matter of one big innings. I was determined that if I cross 50, I'll convert it into a century.
"I was playing well at Bangalore when I made 39 in the first innings, but I failed to convert that. Here, though, I converted my start into the hundred that my team needed," said Sehwag, after the end of the second day's play in the Test.
In Australia, India's biggest success came in the matches where Sehwag and Akash Chopra saw off the new ball threat. Today, the former did the same with Irfan Pathan at the other end.
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"Our game plan in this match was the same as in the last one. We knew the first spell from the bowlers was the most dangerous and we planned to play carefully, take no risks, and see that through; and so we did," said the dashing right-hander.
He confessed that tips from form batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who is with the Indian team as consultant, helped immensely.
"Strategies and so on are decided at team meetings, but he [Gavaskar] has been a help to us by sharing his experiences of international cricket. If anyone has a problem he helps out with that, and motivates us all," said the batsman, who plays for Delhi in domestic cricket.
The pitch, though, will hold the key in the match, and Sehwag, having actually got runs on it is the best man to pass judgment on it.
"It's a good track to bat on. Yes, the ball kept low at times, but that happened when the ball was really old, after 75 overs had been bowled. After the new ball was taken there was no uneven bounce. It was good to bat on today, and I expect the same tomorrow. Perhaps, on the fourth and fifth days it will take even more spin than it already is, and get slower," he added.
Sehwag's first 50 came off 91 balls, the second off 56 balls and the third off 67. He accelerated through his innings and after reaching his century was more than willing to take on the bowlers even though wickets kept falling at the other end.
"I thought the team would benefit if I went for my strokes and got some quick runs. But I guess my shot selection wasn't good enough. I wasn't picking the right balls to hit. But I realised at one point that it was more important for me to bat through another session rather than score quick runs. Unfortunately, I couldn't do that.
"My plan was the same throughout, to punish the loose ball. The number of wickets that had fallen at the other had no impact on the way I was playing," he said.
Sehwag said he was not too worried about his poor run and knew he would soon get among the runs.
"When you don't perform, everybody puts pressure on you. When you do, those same people acclaim you. I wasn't worried, and, besides, I had got some confidence from my innings of 146 in the warm-up game before the first Test. I knew that if I spend time at the wicket the runs would come. And that's just what happened."
He felt India will be on top in the Test if it gets a lead of 150 runs.
Talking about the Aussie bowlers, he felt Jason Gillespie was the most impressive.
"Well, [Shane] Warne took wickets, but I don't think he bowled quite that well."
Typically Sehwag; straight to the point.
