Virender Sehwag taking the attack to the opposition with his bat is getting repetitive -- even if cricket aficionados don't seem to mind much. However, Sehwag putting the rival team on the spot with the ball is a sight seldom seen -- he had just 34 wickets in 62 Tests going into the third Test against Australia.
But Sehwag loves to surprise. And during the course of the third day's play in the ongoing Test on Friday, there was one in store for the Australians.
Having dismissed Sehwag cheaply (1) in the Indian innings, the Australians might as well have thought they only have to take care of him in the second essay. But the 30-year-old had other plans.
On a day when Australia put up a resolute challenge to India's mammoth first innings score of 613, Sehwag was the only thorn in their flesh. That, too, with the ball.
The visitors were 338 for 4 at stumps and three of those wickets, and crucial ones at that, were snared by Sehwag.
And, come to think of it, he got an opportunity to turn his fingers only because captain Anil Kumble had to be admitted to hospital following an injury.
Rising to challenge of filling up his skipper's boots and responding to the demands, Sehwag delivered. And how?
The off-spinner had figures of three for 66 off his 22 overs -- only the third instance of him taking three or more wickets in an innings following his 3 for 33 against the West Indies two years back and his 3 for 12 against South Africa in Kanpur this April.
No wonder he was a happy man at the end of day's play.
"Anilbhai got injured and someone had to bowl spin. I got the opportunity," said Sehwag, before adding, "After a long time I got the chance to bowl 20 overs."
It was a pertinent statement considering the Indian attack has Kumble and Harbhajan Singh -- the latter not playing in the Test owing to an injury -- and Sehwag is seldom required to bowl. Not that he went without a strategy.
"I just wanted to contain the flow of runs. If you stop the runs, you will eventually get the wickets," he reasoned.
His victims included Matthew Hayden (83), Ricky Ponting (87) and Michael Hussey (53). And the wickets were so vital that even the bowler struggled to identify a personal favourite.
"All the three wickets were special," he explained. "But I value Hayden's and Ponting's wickets more, because they were capable of scoring in excess of 150."
Confidence personified following the effort, Sehwag didn't hesitate to take a dig at the opposition.
"They (the Australians) were totally clueless about which ball was going to be a straight one and which one was going to spin," he said. "They were playing only for the spin, which was not always there."
But did he feel that this Australian side hasn't been there usual aggressive self?
"That [the aggression] is only visible in the papers," retorted Sehwag, with a smile, before adding that despite the Australian resilience India is still in with a chance.
"If we have a 250-300 lead on the final day then we have a definite chance, as the turning wicket will be a problem for them," he said.
Despite having a successful day with the ball, there was a tinge of regret evident in Sehwag.
"A batsman can never be satisfied without making runs," he reasoned. "So, I am definitely not satisfied after having failed to score, but happy that I could at least do my job with the ball."
The message was clear: Sehwag loves to bat. But he can also deliver with the ball.
