There has already been talk of revolt in the Indian team led by Sehwag earlier this year. In addition, questions are now being raised over his form and fitness.
Sehwag knows that the best way to answer back is to score runs, at his preferred brisk pace.
He also has the added responsibility of turning around the fortunes of the Delhi Daredevils, who finished dead last in 2011.
The Delhi opener has played an active role in bringing in new recruits to the side and help Daredevils regain the form which took them to the IPL semifinals in the first two seasons.
The now 'rested' and 'refreshed' Sehwag looked eager to get on with it during Daredevils' first practice session at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Sunday.
He spoke exclusively to TOI about his preparations for IPL 5.
Excerpts from the interview:
You had said recently that you were happy with the composition of the side this season. In your opinion, what will be the strengths of the Daredevils?
We have got a solid batting line-up that can either set a stiff target for the opposition or chase down any total. We also have a very competitive fast bowling unit which will be backed by good spinners. And, we have some excellent all-round fielders too. I had asked for some specific players going into the IPL auction and I am happy we managed to get all of them.
You have plenty of explosive options in the batting department. Won't it be a headache accommodating talent like this into the side given the four foreign players' cap?
I will not term it as a headache. It is good to be able to have options to draw from the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen, David Warner and Ross Taylor. The cap of four overseas players in the XI is equal for all teams.
It is good that there are some former international captains among these foreign players as well. I can call upon them for their help and guidance on the field.
With so many different attacking openers at your disposal, can we expect Sehwag to come lower down the order to strengthen the Daredevils middle-order in IPL?
I will never change the way I bat, because that is the way I have played throughout my career. I have already said that I will continue to open the innings this season as well. Someone like a Mahela (Jayawardene) can be given the responsibility of batting through the innings at the other end.
The spin bowling department looks a bit weak, which was one of the concerns last season. How do you intend to deal with this problem?
I think we have a good fast bowling unit in the first place. Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron are going to be our primary weapons in the tournament. As for the spinners, Roelof ven der Merwe is a wily left-arm spinner. Shahbaz Nadeem is a good option too. We also have others like off-spinner Sunny Gupta and left-arm spinner Pawan Negi. Besides, I will also bowl. If we can restrict the opposition to about 160, I believe with our batting line-up we can be in a good position.
How are you feeling fitness wise? Can we expect a bigger role for Sehwag the off-spinner this year?
I am feeling rested and refreshed. I did not bowl last year because of a shoulder problem but I have recovered from that and have bowled in Tests and ODIs for Team India. I was happy with the way the ball was coming out during the Commonwealth Bank series in Australia. Of course, I will bowl this season. There is hardly any time for pre-season IPL camps.
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