Virender Sehwag kept the promise he made to his son when he blasted his way to a terrific 58-ball 122 which powered Kings XI Punjab to a mammoth 226 for six in the second IPL Qualifier in Mumbai on Friday. Moments after hitting only the second century of IPL 7, Sehwag revealed that he had told his son he would score runs in the remaining matches while talking to him a few days back. "Other day my wife called up and my son (Aryaveer) took the phone and said 'Papa why are you getting out? My friends in school tease me that your papa is not scoring runs'. I told him beta (son) there are matches and I will score don't worry," Sehwag said. Sehwag, who had scored a hundred in the 2011 edition for Delhi Daredevils against Deccan Chargers, entertained the Wankhede crowd with eight sixes and 12 fours. Mumbai Indians' Lendl Simmons had scored the first century of this season when he scored an unbeaten 100 against Punjab. One of the most senior player in the team, Sehwag said he was not able to concentrate on his batting as he had to guide youngsters. "I told them that you play the way you like and let me focus on my game. I need to win at least one game for KXIP," he said. Sehwag has been struggling with his form for quite some time and last played for India during the India vs Australia match at Hyderabad in March last year. Despite making useful contribution for Kings XI Punjab this season, Sehwag was not getting big runs in the IPL this season. The Delhi batsman, who turns 36 later this year, didn't find a place in a second-string Indian side to tour Bangladesh. Source: Hindustan Times, Sehwag's stormy innings take Kings XI to IPL final: Mumbai, May 31 (IANS) VirenderSehwag Friday showed his class when it mattered the most as he struck a magnificent century to script Kings XI Punjab's 24-run win over Chennai Super Kings to make their maiden IPL final where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders. For Kings XI Punjab what made the win memorable was that it was their third consecutive win over Super Kings this season and defending a total of more that 200 on all the three
 ocassions. Kings XI Punjab looked like a determined lot after having lost the Qualifier 1 to Knight Riders. They put on a comprenshive bating display with Sehwag leading the way with a scntillating 122 off just 58 balls to take Kings XI to a mamoth 226 for six in 20 overs. It was a typical Sehwag innings without much footwork but crisp timing. Sehwag smashed 12 fours and eight sixes during his whirlwind knock. Sehwag, who highest so far was a 72 this season, and Manan Vohra (34) put on a 110-run stand for the first win. Vohra remained a mute spectator allowing Sehwag to all the scoring. Glenn Maxwell made (13) and David Miller came up with a cameo of 19-ball 38 hitting five fours and a six top push the score further. While chasing, Super Kings also put on a superb show but fell short of 24 runs as they manged 202 for seven in 20 overs. It was Suresh Raina's 25-ball 87 that raised hopes of Super Kings win. Super Kings made a poor start losing openers Dwayne Smith (7) and Faf du Plesis early but some powerful hitting by Raina saw the team's 100 coming up in just six overs. Raina looked in his elements hitting 12 fours and six sixes. He was severe on Parwinder Awana as the pacer leaked 33 runs from the sixth over. But all hopes of a Super Kings win were dashed as the southpaw lost his wicket while attempting a tight single and a direct hit from George Bailey found him short of crease. Dhoni tried the rescue act with an unbeaten 31-ball 42 hitting three fours and a three sixes, but it came too late. Dhoni admitted that the turning point was Raina's dismissal. "I think definitely it was something we could have achieved, the reason being suresh the way he batted, I think in the middle overs there was some very irresponsible cricket by some of the most experienced international cricketers, so I think definitely we need to have a look," he said. Dhoni, however, feels that the team did well this year. "One of the facts is one of our retained players, we lost at the start itself, but we still made the playoffs, we did really well in the tournament. I had belief in my bowling that they will," said Dhoni. Source: News Track India, Image: photobucket.com/ |
