5 batsmen who broke their stereotypes to excel

There are a number of factors which separate great batsmen from good batsmen – versatility is one of those factors. We remember the sport’s brightest stars for doing what they do best: for Virender Sehwag it was his trashing qualities that delighted us, while when watching Rahul Dravid, we marvelled at his stoic-like, obdurate approach.But the very best have far more to their arsenals than a single, shining style, and it was when they unfurled those other talents that really dazzled us. There was something quite magical about Shahid Afridi snubbing recklessness for responsibility, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul snubbing defence for destruction.Here are five occasions when batsmen thrived playing in the opposite way they were accustomed to.

#1 Virender Sehwag

First-ball fours and hundred-reaching sixes are the Virender Sehwag trademarks that will live long in Indian cricketing folklore; however it was a much different knock against Australia that perhaps saved the opener’s career in 2008. A high-octane tour was winding to an end in Adelaide, and while India couldn’t secure the win needed to draw the series, Sehwag’s exploits ensured they didn’t succumb to a humiliating defeat on the final day.

Two 500-plus efforts in the first innings meant the match was meandering to a draw, but failure from India’s “Fab Four” – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman made just 43 between them while Rahul Dravid retired hurt – would have left India teetering had Sehwag not been holding the fort at the other end.

A composed 151 from 236 balls from Sehwag took time out of the game and kept speedsters Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson at bay. Sehwag saved India and never looked back. A terrific 319 against South Africa in Chennai months later set the tone for the most dazzling chapters of the batsmen’s memorable career.