Sanjay Bangar as good as Gary Kirsten: Sehwag

After Kings XI Punjab stormed into their first IPL final riding on Virender Sehwag’s century, the opener compared coach Sanjay Bangar to former India coach Gary Kirsten, who was in charge when the team triumphed in the 2011 World Cup.

“Our coach Sanjay Bangar did a fantastic job. He motivated everybody. If you compare Sanjay Bangar with Gary Kirsten, he is equally good. He is as calm as Gary was,” Sehwag said at the post-match conference.

The 35-year old cracked a brilliant 58-ball 122 last night, which helped Kings XI Punjab post a mammoth 226 against Chennai Super Kings and Sehwag said his one big knock was due for a long time.

“My one innings was due but when it would come I didn’t know. If it came at a good time like the playoffs, you know if you don’t play well you would be out of the tournament. My conscious effort was that I play well and give a good performance and try to help my team win,” he said.

“The performance came after a long time. Everybody was expecting when I was out of the team, everybody was hoping I would score hundred and double hundred in first class cricket but that didn’t happen. When your time is not good, you can’t do anything. I was doing everything right but I was not able to score runs. Today was maybe my day and I just told myself Chennai should pay for my day,” he added.

The Delhi player said he wants to work on his technique: “My technique is not that great so I have to correct it. I have to back myself, I have to believe in myself and go out there and give my 100 per cent. If I click then the other team has to pay and if I don’t click then our team has to pay.”

Sehwag said he has told hard-hitting Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell that he should also focus on playing Test cricket.

“I told him that Test cricket is the best cricket. If he wants to make his name, then he has to play Test cricket. He is very keen and he will go back score runs in domestic cricket or in international cricket whenever he gets a chance,” he said.

Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey admitted that there were anxious moments when Chennai Super Kings’ Suresh Raina was batting.

PTI