Coach Rajeev Nayyar Sees Virender Sehwag's Shades in Aryavir

Delhi's Under-19 head coach Rajeev Nayyar has said that Aryavir Sehwag possesses the ability to represent India. He added that the young batter must take gradual steps to reach senior international cricket.

Nayyar said Aryavir had been batting well but had not been able to convert his good starts into hundreds. The coach said he had discussed this with the batter before a match. According to Nayyar, Aryavir has an excellent batting style, yet after reaching 40 or 50 runs, he tended to lose his wicket.

During a talk in the dressing room, Nayyar said he told Aryavir not to worry about bowling to or facing the other boys of the Delhi and District Cricket Association. Instead, he urged him to look at who else was scoring runs. Nayyar mentioned Anvay, the son of Rahul Dravid, who had made 158 and then 85 to 90 runs against Delhi. He said the batter had real competition and should be aware of it, though not jealous.

Nayyar said Aryavir should observe the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and performances across the country. He wanted the batter to aim for the highest run tally in these tournaments. He also told him to turn his scores into centuries, adding that a batter who stays in for 50 overs is almost certain to score 200 runs.

The coach was asked many times whether Aryavir could play for India soon. He responded that it was too early to say. He said India is a big country where everyone is playing cricket, but Aryavir has the talent. Nayyar said the batter must advance one stage at a time. Aryavir is currently in the Under-19 team and may later play for the Under-23 side. Following that, he could feature in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, then in India A matches. Nayyar said this route could finally lead to a place in the Indian team.

Nayyar described Aryavir as an attacking batter who enjoys playing shots. He told him that as a captain on the field, he was setting an example and displaying leadership qualities. Nayyar said Aryavir had to show he could play long innings. He did not want to see the batter get out for 40 or 50 and then sit in the dressing room, which he did not like. He said the entire cricketing world was watching Aryavir, so he needed to be careful. As a coach, Nayyar said he definitely wanted the batter to score in every game.

Nayyar also said Aryavir reflected his father, Virender Sehwag. He was surprised by the batter's confidence. Aryavir was hitting the fast bowlers over the fielders, a shot that most batters avoid. Nayyar said some of the batter's cover shots were played without moving his feet, and it was a delight to watch.

Nayyar said that if Aryavir had scored 173 runs in that game, the credit did not go to him as a coach. It belonged to the batter's father and to the coach who had been with him for the last five, eight and ten years. Nayyar said he could only share his experience.

As a coach, Nayyar said he could say the young cricketer had the required quality. He said Aryavir did not bat exactly like his father, but had a similar approach in some respects. The coach said the batter was learning a lot and played some shots in the same style as his father, which was fun to see. Nayyar said Aryavir was highly focused. After losing his wicket, he does not speak to anyone and sits alone in a corner, thinking about what he did. He also discusses his innings with the coach.

Nayyar said he hoped Aryavir would be selected for the India Under-19 team for the Asia Cup and that he would play well. He said he had told Aryavir that Pakistan would be playing in the tournament and that he would have to perform. Aryavir had reportedly decided to do well in the Asia Cup and had said he wanted to score a century against Pakistan. Nayyar said he really liked that. He admitted he had been worried about whether Aryavir would be available for the Cooch Behar Trophy, but said the batter would be available. Nayyar said he appreciated the commitment to the game shown by such a young player.

Aryavir Sehwag, who is leading Delhi in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, recently scored a superb 173 runs off 143 balls against Chandigarh, hitting 19 fours and 8 sixes.