Virender Sehwag has no regrets about narrowly missing his first double century.
The dashing Indian opener set the Melbourne Cricket Ground ablaze with a 195-run knock that was studded with 25 fours and five sixes. But just after the crowd applauded him for hitting a six, which inched him closer to the 200 mark, he holed out in the deep and missed the milestone.
"I have no regrets because I had decided at the start of the day that I will punish the loose ball irrespective of whether I am on 0, 99 or 199," Sehwag said after the opening day's play in the third Test against Australia on Friday.
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The right-hander, often criticised for throwing away his wicket after getting good starts, said he was really pleased to have stayed at the wicket for so long.
"It is the first time in my life that I have played such a long innings... I am very happy."
But Sehwag admitted that batting was not easy in the first hour or so because the ball did not come on to the bat on a track that belied expectations.
"The track was not flat and hard. It was spongy and the ball had difficulty in coming on to the bat initially. So we [Akash Chopra and he] decided to go slow until the lunch break and allow the pitch to ease off."
Sehwag said it was a conscious decision to "give respect to the bowlers" until the pitch played true.
"After lunch the ball started coming on nicely and I batted with concentration and dedication because I wanted to continue till the end of the day."
Even short balls did not unnerve Sehwag. Instead, they helped him gain in "confidence and energy".
"After you are hit on the helmet you think it cannot get worse. It increases your confidence level and energy," he said.
Sehwag said he did not hit the sixes intentionally or pick Stuart MacGill for any special treatment.
"I just went after the loose balls. Some of them went over the ropes... it was not intentional."
On his mix-up with fellow-opener Chopra when he was on four, he said: "There was a little bit of misunderstanding. Both of us were stranded but I thought if I run I can save my wicket."
Sehwag, who singled out his consecutive on-driven fours off MacGill as the best shots of his innings, said the first hour's play tomorrow will be crucial.
"If Ganguly and Laxman get going then we will be in a very good position."
