Sehwag dismisses Steyn threat

Bowler's recent exploits cause no concern for India

Last updated: 20th March 2008

Virender Sehwag century Adelaide

Sehwag: Unconcerned

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Virender Sehwag says India's batsman have nothing to fear from South Africa's star bowler Dale Steyn.

Steyn has been in impressive form to help South Africa to recent series victories over Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand and Bangladesh, taking 14 of the 20 wickets to fall in the two-Test series against the Tigers.

But Sehwag is not worried by the prospect of facing him after batting against the likes of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson in the Test series in Australia.

"I don't think he will be a big threat to us," Sehwag told Mumbai-based tabloid Mid-day.

"He is not as quick as Shoaib Akhtar or Brett Lee whom we have played in recent times. Even Shane Bond for that matter is quicker than Steyn.

No difference

"And we have had a look at him earlier when we went to South Africa. So his pace will not make any difference to us.

"No doubt Steyn is a good bowler. And on his day, he can be a handful. But with the same logic even the batsmen can have a good day and can finish him off."

The 29-year-old Delhi opener is confident Indian batsmen will dominate the Proteas' pace attack in hot sub-continent conditions when the series gets under way in Chennai on March 26.

"They are a good side and it is going to be a tough series. But it will be quite hot and the bowlers will feel the heat more than the others," he said.

"They will not be able to bowl longer spells. In this heat, a bowler cannot bowl more than four or five overs in a spell. And that will certainly help us."

The second Test starts on April 3 in Ahmedabad.