Kapil asks Sehwag to introspect

Gurgaon, Nov 9 (UNI) After playing six-seven years at the highest level, Virender Sehwag has nothing to prove to anyone. But at a time when runs are not exactly flowing from his blade, introspection won't be a bad idea, felt former captain Kapil Dev.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a golf clinic here today, the World Cup winning captain said Sehwag should find it himself where lies the problem.

''He has been playing at this level for the last six-seven years and I don't think Sehwag has anything to prove to anyone. What he needs is probably introspection.

''He needs to ask and find out himself what he needs to do. He is a talented player and like any other cricketer, he is going through a lean phase. He has to come out of this phase,'' Kapil said, barely feet away from where Sehwag was honing his putting skills at the course.

Notwithstanding his half century in the Champions Trophy match against Australia, Sehwag is clearly not in his elements and Kapil said, ''If he thinks any former player can help him, he should not hesitate to approach.'' The former all-rounder also refused to admit that Sehwag was completely outshone by West Indies opener Chris Gayle whose swashbuckling knocks, apart from his more-than-handy spin bowling, emerged as Man of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy. ''Every player has his strength and it's unfair to compare the two,'' he said.

Kapil admitted Team India has failed to live upto the expectations but still expressed hopes that they would do well in South Africa even though that has not been a happy hunting ground for India.

''We didn't do too well there in the past and the current team also has had a bad run. They lost the ODI series in the West Indies, did badly in the DLF Cup (in Malaysia) and in the Champions Trophy as well. So it's easy to be pessimistic but I still expect them to do well,'' he explained.

''Bigger the challenge, bigger the player. I don't like criticism at the hour of crisis and still expect them to do well,'' he added.

Asked if the bowling attacks lacked teeth, Kapil said on the contrary, it was poor batting that let India down.

''The bowling attack may look weak but I think batsmen need to support them more. Provided the batsmen put up enough runs on the board, the same bowlers would look better.

''I guess the bowlers have been doing relatively well in the last five-six years but of course they need to be more consistent. The entire team needs to make winning a habit and only then the bowlers would grow in confidence,'' he said.

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