'Sehwag deserved that century'

We get the views of Krishnamachari Srikkanth on the recent cricketing controversy...
With Suraj Randiv deliberately denying Sehwag his 13th ODI century by bowling a no-ball in the current triangular series march between India and Sri Lanka, another cricket controversy brewed. In the city, chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth termed the bowler’s action as extremely “sad.”
When asked if cricketers are losing the spirit of the game, he said, “Yes, and it’s very sad.What the bowler did was absolutely wrong; pathetic would be the right word. Sehwag, after playing that extraordinary knock, deserved that century. The bowler didn’t gain anything by denying him one run to make the century; it was bad spirit.”
Added Srikkanth, “Cricket is a gentleman’s game and should always remain like that. With difficult batting conditions, Sehwag did a fantastic job and even won the match for India. He should be commended for his exemplary performance.”
Srikkanth believes that winning or losing is not everything, but having the right spirit is everything. Addressing youngsters in the city, he said, “Winning and losing are part and parcel of life, and sports teaches one to develop the right spirit. It’s important to understand that life is a game and enjoying the game is most important.”
Dishing out a simple recipe for success, he says, “Use your creative powers, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and put shyness aside — this will surely bring success.” And, this is what he advises his sons too. “Suddenly, when I turned 50, I realised that I had achieved much but hadn’t really enjoyed life. So now, I tell my sons and everybody else — ‘first enjoy life; pray to God and do your best without expecting too much in return, life will take care of itself.’”
On the changes that batting styles have undergone over the years, he says styles have reversed. “When I started playing cricket, coaches used to tell us to play copy-book style and never to hit the ball in the air. If we ever played a lofty shot, they would say it’s a terrible shot and ask us to play only along the ground. But after 25 years, the aerial route is the only route,” he laughs. “Because I never played along the ground, people said that I was just swinging my bat and that there was no technique involved. But today, everyone from Sachin Tendulkar to Sehwag, who can very well be called the most dangerous batsmen today, do just this.”
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