No senior vs junior debate in side: Sehwag

Chennai: Paddy Upton beware. His claims of confidentiality have been taken literally by some Indian cricketers, most definitely Virender Sehwag.

The grandiosely named mental conditioning coach has promised that all the problems placed before him by members of the Indian cricket team would be confidential, and Virender Sehwag at least has taken this promise to heart.

"I have been told by Upton that whatever I say to him will be confidential," said Sehwag speaking to the media at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here. "I will trust him not keep all this confidential, and if he makes a mistake first time, I will give him another chance. If he makes another mistake, I will not confide in him."

Sehwag is not quite known for diplomacy, but this is not the best foot forward when it comes to the meeting of minds, which is what South African Upton’s job in the team is – to iron out the mental issues, as Gary Kirsten takes care of the technical ones.

"I can’t say what we discussed," said Sehwag, keeping up the promise. "I am sure he will have answers to the questions I asked him. There can be four or five answers to each question in a batsman’s mind, and he may have all the answers."

Kirsten’s presence got full marks from the Delhi opener. "He has enhanced man management and organisational aspects. Things are point to point now, and not much time is wasted. Players go about their steps – batting, bowling and fielding – and then are sent on their way. It is all very well organised.

"We are all keen to work with Gary. The intensity and effectiveness is higher," Sehwag adds.

Asked if the senior/junior situation would arise every time the Indians played here onwards, putting pressure on skipper Anil Kumble to answer unnecessary questions, Sehwag insisted: "There is no senior/junior debate in the team at all. As for pressure, international cricket is always pressure. The pressure is about playing cricket, not about answering to the media."

Asked about the South African team, Sehwag had little to offer in terms of novelty. "They are a good side, batting and bowling-wise, but it remains to be seen how they cope up with the conditions here.

"The attack is good, with Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini in the team, but we have seen them before. Also, it’s not going to be easy to bowl here, so we are not really worried."

As for his own form, Sehwag said: "I scored 150 in my last Test innings, and am in a good frame of mind. Anyway, one day’s loss of form never worries me. My ODI form is not as great as it should be, but we are not playing ODI's here.

"When it comes to that, I will deal with it," the batsman said.