India batsman Virat Kohli leaps in the air after scoring a century on his World Cup debut against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.Virender Sehwag's bat laughed off the big occasion, expectations, threat of an upset and history. The right-hander's 140-ball 175 was testament to his fondness to prove everyone wrong and play according to his own formbook. He made sure he took his revenge on the Tigers after the Port-of-Spain defeat haunted him for the last four years.
After Shakib Al Hasan let India bat first after winning the toss, it was only a matter of time for the Indian openers to throw themselves at Bangladesh's pace attack. And Sehwag took guard, saw the bowler and flashed the ball through the covers to launch his all-out assault on the Tigers, who saved their best for the first game of the tournament after months of promise.
It wasn't the highest made by an Indian in one-day cricket or in a World Cup game but Sehwag's second World Cup century (and 14th overall) equalled Kapil Dev's famous 175* made against Zimbabwe in the 1983 edition. But it was his highest score in ODIs and the highest-ever by a batsman against Bangladesh as well as at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
“I am happy and honoured to have the same score as Kapil Dev so when people know that he got 175, they will also know that I got 175. But it is too early to tell if we will (have the same result as in 1983),” he said during the post-match press conference.
Man-of-the-match Sehwag joined Dennis Amiss, Gordon Greenidge, Allan Lamb, Javed Miandad, Martin Crowe, Nathan Astle and Brian Lara as the eighth batsman to reach hundred in a World Cup opener and easily, it was the highest among these batsmen.
Shafiul Islam bore the brunt of Sehwag's blade initially before Abdur Razzak became the prime target; the left-arm spinner giving away a whopping 57 runs off the 33 balls he bowled at the Indian opener. Sehwag found the left-arm spinner's length to his liking, smashing everything down the ground and hardly going back to cut the ball. He smashed Razzak for three of his five sixes, making sure the Tigers' most experienced bowler was constantly under pressure.
The 32-year-old struck 81 runs on the off-side, latching onto anything short and wide and there were plenty from the Tigers who made a meal of their captain's decision.
Sehwag moved from 49 to 55 with his first six off Razzak before his 100 came off just 94 balls. He eventually fell in the 48th over when India were well and truly set up for a victory.
Before the tournament started, Sehwag talked about batting all 50 overs and yesterday, he said he was happy with his effort.
“My strike rate was 100 throughout the innings. I was thinking that for once in my career I would bat 50 overs and today I batted for 47,” he said. “As far as the number of overs played, I am satisfied.”
The only blemish in his innings would be the mix-up that cost Sachin Tendulkar's wicket, Sehwag admitting it was his mistake.
“We discussed it after I got back. We had planned to take it easy on the singles. I took my eye off for a fraction of a second but he said it's okay,” said the dashing right-hander.
The century also paved the way for Virat Kohli, as the 22-year-old (also from Delhi) looted the Tigers with a maiden World Cup ton off only 83 balls.
The Tigers would hope the force of Sehwag's 175 doesn't hurt their confidence and the nation's spirits. The coming days will give a clearer picture.
