I just played my natural game, says Shewag
2 August 2001
Asked to open the innings in the absence of batting maestro Sachin
Tendulkar, 22-year-old Virender Shewag could not have chosen a better
occasion to live up to his reputation as a hard-hitting batsman.
And when he delivered to his potential, the Delhi batsman did it in
style, plundering boundaries at will and hammering the sixth fastest
one-day century ever in one-day internationals.
After 14 matches and a dozen innings until today, there was just one
50 to his name and his highest score in the current series was 33. And
India had conceded 264 to the New Zealanders in a tournament in which
they struggled to chase any score beyond 200.
But under such tremendous pressure, Shewag chose to excel.
"I just played my natural game. I played my shots...it was certainly
my best innings where I played positively," the shy all rounder, who
was declared the man-of-the-match, said.
Shewag took the Kiwi attack by the scruff from the very beginning. His
50 came off 29 deliveries but fell short of the two fastest Indian
half centuries, those of Ajit Agarkar and Kapil Dev.
The high point of his 69-ball century was four consecutive boundaries
and a six in the 11th over by Darryl Tuffey. Shewag hit 19 boundaries
and a six in all.
Undoubtedly, it was his knock which shaped India's seven-wicket
victory against New Zealand and ensured it a place in the final
against Sri Lanka.
Shewag's employees, Oil And Natural Gas Corporation Ltd, were prompt
in announcing a cash incentive of Rs one lakh for his efforts.
The Indian skipper admitted it was one of the best one-day knocks
knocks he had seen.
"It was unbelievable," gushed Ganguly. "He played a superb knock...It
was a big target to chase but he made it look so easy. Also the later
batsmen backed up well. I did not want to get out and leave the job to
the younger lot but they did well to see us through. Rahul (Dravid)
played a beauty as well. Badani too looked in good nick," Ganguly
said.
"It was good to see the batsmen back in form before the final," he
added.
The 29-year-old Indian captain said playing two important back to back
matches had not been easy. "We were stiff in the morning...it's good
we came out and played well."
The victory saw India in to the final, a day-night encounter to be
played on August 5.
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said "India took away the game
from us in the first 15 overs," thanks to a "clean, match-winning
performance from Virender Shewag".
© PTI