India in South Africa, 2006-06

Sehwag has to be benched

Allan Donald

January 1, 2007

Donald: 'It appears that Virender Sehwag doesn't take a lot of responsibility' © AFP

Nobody knows it better than the top five Indian batsmen that they have let down their side badly. It's not everyday you come to South Africa and sit on a 1-0 advantage. You expect seniors to be more conscious about this rare opportunity but if they indeed were, I did not notice it. South Africa could now be unstoppable.

It never ceases to amaze me that this Indian team has some of the most talented and possibly a few of the greatest batsmen ever seen in their ranks, yet when it's time to bat out the last day, they are found wanting. In recent years, it has happened too often: be it in Bangalore against Pakistan in 2005 or against England in Mumbai, and now in Durban, the Indian top order has not come to party.

It has been most disappointing that they do not put a high price on their wickets. A few changes are inevitable and I would be shocked if Gautam Gambhir is not given his opportunity in the final Test. To me it appears that Virender Sehwag doesn't take a lot of responsibility. His first innings shot was an absolute shocker and though he got a good ball in the second knock, he is proving to be inadequate.

The management would surely show more guts in putting Sehwag on the bench. It would also serve as a message to other senior players that such a fate could also befall them. I do not think it has come to a stage when Sachin Tendulkar is not picked but he, one of my most favourite batsmen, has not pulled his weight in the series yet. There is so much which South African cricket fans want to cherish and applaud in him but he has not given them the opportunity. Knowing how Father Time works, it could be his last visit here and I hope he rises to the occasion in Cape Town.

Donald: Sachin Tendulkar has not pulled his weight in the series yet, I hope he rises to the occasion in Cape Town © AFP

Rahul Dravid could sit in his room and watch endless replays of his two dismissals and still feel sorry for himself. VVS Laxman has borne the brunt of the South African attack in this series and thus might have wanted to get to the other end when on 49 in the first innings. That it exposed the last man VRV Singh to an almost full over could be termed as bad cricket by a few of us.

Wasim Jaffer failed to build on his early start in both the innings and the manner of his dismissal in the second left a bad taste in mouth. That being so, I must say that the overcast conditions when Indians batted in the two innings played a massive role in their debacle. Yet getting out is one thing and failing to apply oneself is quite another.

It was inevitable that Durban would once again throw up silly weather. As long as I can remember, enormous time has been lost due to intervention from the above. I don't think changing its Boxing Day status is an answer but it was frustrating to see it happening all over again. Umpires had a difficult time with lights in this Test and it must have been a heavy drain on their mental and physical resources.

The ICC should also look at the issue of allowing floodlights to operate during a Test match as it does not work basically for batsmen. The red ball looks dirty under the lights and it's hard on the batters. Coming to Cape Town, I guess South Africans would now be more assured against India and wouldn't look for any dramatic measures now that they have drawn level. They have been let out of jail and now the Indians could end up paying a huge price.

© PTI

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Stories

Both teams in selection quandary

Players/Umpires

Allan Donald

Virender Sehwag

Sachin Tendulkar

Series/Tournaments

India tour of South Africa

Teams

India