Sehwag needs to play percentage cricket: Gavaskar

New Delhi, Nov 4 : Former captain Sunil Gavaskar has adviced opener Virender Sehwag to bat the way he does in Tests, which would open a bright chance for him to make a double century in the one-dayers.

Sehwag has been giving blazing starts to India at the top but hasn't been able to convert those starts to big scores.

In the fourth match against Australia at Mohali, Sehwag began in his usual fashion and raced to a 19-ball 30 but could not continue for long before he departed.

Gavaskar said the Sehwag needs to play the way he does in Tests as he usualy plays at a good pace in the longer version of the game.

''Sehwag needs to learn to play percentage cricket. He should play ODIs like Tests where he's an instictive player and scores at enormous rate,'' Gavaskar told 'CNN IBN'.

''If he does so, he may stay till 40-50 overs and may even score 200 runs,'' he added.

The legendary batsman was also not in favour of Virat Kohli's promotion in the batting order in the absence of injured Gautam Gambhir.

Kohli was sent up in the batting order as Gambhir was out of the side with a neck injury but he couldn't make use of the opportunity.

Gavaskar said Suresh Raina should have came at number three as he generally bats at that position for most of the teams that he plays for.

''Dhoni should have sent Raina at number 3. Dhoni has confidence in Kohli but Raina should have been sent at number three after Gambhir was injured.

''He (Raina) bats at that position for every other team. Let Kohli bide his time and come at the end,'' the former Indian opener suggested.

On the next match which is to be played in Hyderbad, Gavaskar said a good contest was cards and the track will offer loads of runs which was witnessed during the Champions League last month.

''During the Champions League matches Hyderabad offered the best pitches. Next match will see teriffic cricket with lots of runs,'' he added.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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