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sanjaychhikara
March 3rd, 2003, 04:56 PM
Foxes fans savour Sehwag signing

By Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport Online



Sehwag has hit three Test centuries
Virender Sehwag's signing for Leicestershire is being hailed as a masterstroke by Indian cricket fans.

The 24-year-old Indian star is one of the world's most exciting young batsmen, with an average of 41.52 from 14 Tests.

He will arrive at Grace Road after the World Cup, and Indian cricket enthusiasts are already anticipating a huge boost in interest among Leicester's Asian population.



"It's all about entertainment and he's a huge star and a very entertaining player," said Shai Len, founder member of the Bharat Army, Indian cricket's loyal band of supporters.

It's been a topic of conversation whenever cricket fans gather

Leicestershire fan Dev Bhasin

"Someone as explosive and exciting as him will bring people through the turnstiles.

"From Leicestershire's point of view it's a very shrewd signing."

Lifelong Leicestershire fan Dev Bhasin, 55, insisted that supporters in the county were delighted with the signing.

"We're excited about his coming and I'm sure Leicestershire will see a pick up in season-ticket sales and an upturn in fortunes this summer," he said.

"It's been a topic of conversation whenever cricket fans gather.

"People have been on tenterhooks because its been an on-off situation.

"We want to get as many people as possible from the ethnic community involved in Leicestershire and Virender Sehwag is the impetus we're looking for.

"It looks like at last Leicestershire are looking in the right places to encourage ethnic interest in county cricket."

Profile:
Virender Sehwag

Sehwag has scored three Test centuries but he has built his reputation as an explosive one-day batsmen, having smashed five centuries in 57 limited-overs internationals.



But Len is hopeful that his arrival at Leicestershire will encourage more people from the Indian community to support the longer versions of the game.

"One-day cricket is very big on the Indian subcontinent, but hopefully people will come and see him play the three and five-day games and they will get to recognise a different form of cricket," he said.


"The one-day game is very exciting with lots of razzmatazz, hooters and noise but that only represents one strand of cricket.

"I'd like to see kids playing in all forms of cricket."


Character

But both men agreed that a player of Sehwag's calibre would have a positive effect on all young cricketers and fans, irrespective of ethnic origin.


"It's good for all youth, not just Indians," said Len, whose supporters' group is taking 5,000 people to the World Cup in South Africa.

"Some cricketers don't play for the shirt, they play for sponsorship money, but he's got grit, determination and character.

"If you get kids trying to emulate him then it's good for the game."

Bhasin added: "He will bring with him a profound attitude of open play, and a technique of batting which other youngsters within Leicestershire cricket will benefit from."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2710000/newsid_2717000/2717019.stm

ranjitjat
March 3rd, 2003, 06:02 PM
Sanjay
Thank you for the information.
Good luck to Virender Sehwag & Indian team in world cup.
We look forward to see BEERU in UK
CHEERS