Extraordinary union of enforcer and accumulator

The former is a happy-go-lucky character who has mocked every traditional tenet of Test cricket. He is brazen, unorthodox, intrepid, without a single negative bone in his body.
Where Sehwag is the breathtaking destroyer, Dravid is the composed accumulator. Bred on the nuances of the game and a wonderful student of technique as well as the power of the mind, he is a traditionalist in every sense of the word.

The contrasts, however, haven’t prevented Indian cricket’s odd couple from producing wonderful music in tandem. Their batting styles as well as their remarkably different mindsets form the perfect complement. Like chalk and cheese they might be, but whoever said they can’t co-exist?

At the Sardar Patel Gujarat stadium on Thursday, the current vice-captain and the man who steadfastly stood by him during moments of crises some three and a half years ago associated themselves in a wonderful stand of 237 that might have taken the first Test, and the series itself, away from New Zealand.

Sehwag’s 22nd Test hundred was a veritable feast, a typically flamboyant construction that didn’t lose any sheen when he was forced to take his foot off the pedal after being struck down by pain in his right knee. Dravid’s 30th ton, a number that took him to the elite, rarefied 30-plus club, was crucial in more ways than one, important both for the team and for himself. Under a little bit of pressure, the former skipper took his time at the beginning, never in trouble but not always finding the gaps as well. Runs came at a painstaking pace, but Dravid looked neither edgy nor desperate. It perhaps helped that at the other end was the attack-minded Sehwag, who took away the pressure by scoring freely, but who also freed up Dravid’s mind somewhat with his cheeky, witty comments.
Dravid’s contribution to the first 100 of their stand was a mere 16. His first 104 deliveries yielded just 17. Then, the tide turned, as for the second part of their association, it was the unlikely figure of the number three dominating the more aggressive number two. By the time the stand ended, Dravid’s share was 92 to Sehwag’s 136. It was the tenth time the two men had added more than 100, and their fourth partnership of over 200. Just for the record, Dravid – who holds the record of being involved in most century stands in Test cricket – has a whopping 49 stands of 100 or more in the company of Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly put together!

In 50 innings to date, Sehwag and Dravid have added 3038 runs at 63.29, the highest average among all Indian pairs who have put on 3000 or more runs. It compares favourably with 6157 in 122 innings at 53.07 between Dravid and Tendulkar, who have a world record 18 century stands in tandem.

So, what is it that makes this pair tick? “Rahul takes his time when he is batting,” Sehwag said, after a brief pause. “He bats in his own style and I bat the way I want to. That way, it’s easier. We never discuss stuff like you should score fast or slow. He bats the way he knows and I bat the way I know.”

What do their discussions entail. “Mostly, nothing,” Sehwag smiled. “Sometimes, like today, we talk about how the pitch is slow and it’s better off batting straight than trying the cut. Most times, though, we just tell each other to keep watching the ball.”
Sure works, doesn’t it?!