Sehwag’s intent made the difference.

Mukul Kesavan dissects Mendis hold over the Indian batsmen and comes up with why Sehwag succeeded against him.

His technique has always been fundamentally different from that of the others. His footwork is minimal, he plays alongside the ball without committing himself to a line till the last moment and he played Mendis off the pitch. It worked for him because his hand-eye coordination is exceptional and his instinct is to attack: Mendis never got an opportunity to set him up as he did with the more defensive Dravid or Laxman.

Well said Mukul, Sehwag’s audacity was the key difference. Where other accomplished batsmen were intent on dour defense, Sehwag was intent on total annihilation.