This, of course, was before India's second innings. It was another of those moments between reporter and cricketer, a question inadequately articulated and thus intriguingly answered. The question was about long-term form, Sehwag's answer, about the challenges of playing Test cricket in Australia and the patience needed when assessing it.
Four Indians — Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Umesh Yadav, and R. Ashwin — played their first Test in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Their performances, as opener, middle-order bat, fast-bowler, and spinner, were indicative of India's; they raised issues, which, if contemplated, might clear the gloom of defeat.
Gambhir's is the most interesting case, for there is not the slightest doubt that he is a first-rate batsman who seems to have an extra dimension in a crisis. But the runs have come less prolifically over the last two years: he made 994 runs from 33 innings at 32.06 in 2010 and 2011 as compared to 1861 runs from 25 innings at 77.54 in 2008 and 2009.
