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| Virender Sehwag | |
|---|---|
| Name | Virender Sehwag |
| Country | India |
| Fullname | Virender Sehwag |
| Birth date | 1978-10-20 |
| Birth place | Najafgarh, Delhi, India |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm off break, Right-arm leg break |
| Role | Opening batsman |
Virender Sehwag was an Indian international cricketer renowned for his aggressive opening batting, explosive strokeplay and high strike rates in Test, One Day International and Twenty20 formats. He represented India national cricket team across formats, played domestic cricket for Delhi cricket team and franchises in the Indian Premier League, and later served as a cricket administrator and commentator. Sehwag combined audacious batting with occasional off-spin and leg-spin bowling, setting numerous records and earning multiple national and international honors.
Born in Najafgarh, Delhi to a Punjabi family, Sehwag grew up in a milieu influenced by Rajinder Singh Sehwag and coaching at local academies including the Sonnet Cricket Club and training under Rajkumar Sharma. He attended Jamia Millia Islamia schools and was influenced by performances of Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Gavaskar-era videos and touring matches featuring West Indies cricket team and Australia national cricket team. Early performances in the Vijay Merchant Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy brought him to attention of selectors from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and franchises like Delhi Daredevils.
Sehwag debuted for the Delhi cricket team in the Ranji Trophy and featured in the Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy, forming partnerships with players such as Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Aakash Chopra. In the inaugural seasons of the Indian Premier League he played for the Delhi Daredevils and later for franchises including Kings XI Punjab where he shared dressing rooms with Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and coaches like Greg Chappell and Shane Warne. His domestic list A and first-class exploits paralleled peers such as VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and drew comparisons to Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, and Chris Gayle.
Sehwag made his international debut for India national cricket team in the early 2000s, breaking into squads alongside contemporaries Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and Zaheer Khan. He recorded famous innings against touring teams like Pakistan national cricket team, England cricket team, Sri Lanka national cricket team, and South Africa national cricket team, including double centuries at venues such as Eden Gardens, Arun Jaitley Stadium, and Wankhede Stadium. Notable series include the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, NatWest Series, ICC Cricket World Cup campaigns, and the Tri-Nation Series confrontations, where he faced bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad. Sehwag's Test triple centuries and ODI centuries placed him alongside legends like Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, and Brian Lara in record books maintained by the International Cricket Council. His international tenure included captaincy stints and collaborations with coaching staff such as John Wright, Gary Kirsten, and Ravi Shastri.
An aggressive right-handed opener, Sehwag employed a high-risk, high-reward approach reminiscent of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, frequently using lofted drives and unconventional strokeplay against pacers and spinners from teams including Bangladesh national cricket team, New Zealand national cricket team, and Zimbabwe national cricket team. He scored two triple centuries in Test cricket and multiple double centuries, joining an elite group with Don Bradman, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, and Kumar Sangakkara. Sehwag held records for fastest Test double century and fastest triple century milestones, and achieved the highest strike rate among batsmen with over 2,000 Test runs, a statistical standing tracked by ESPNcricinfo, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, and ICC archives. He was also a useful part-time bowler with wickets against teams like Australia national cricket team and England cricket team, and scored numerous ODI centuries, often contributing to victories in tournaments such as the Asia Cup.
Sehwag received national honors including the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri for contributions to sport and cricket, as well as selections in annual lists like the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. He was named in various ICC Test Team of the Year and ICC ODI Team of the Year selections and earned accolades from cricket boards such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and state associations like the Delhi & District Cricket Association. His performances were celebrated in domestic awards like the CK Nayudu Trophy recognitions and tournament-specific honors in the Ranji Trophy and Indian Premier League.
After retiring from international cricket, Sehwag engaged in commentary for broadcasters including Star Sports, wrote columns for publications like The Times of India and contributed analysis for ESPNcricinfo. He held advisory and administrative roles with teams and leagues, participated in coaching clinics alongside VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, and served as mentor for franchises in the Indian Premier League and development programs run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Sehwag also authored books and made appearances at events linked to institutions such as the Marylebone Cricket Club and charity initiatives with organizations like Rashtriya Indian Military College alumni groups and various sports foundations.
Sehwag married Aarti Ahlawat and has family ties within the Delhi community; his son and extended family have appeared in media interviews alongside figures like Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh. He maintains residences in Delhi and has been associated with educational and sporting ventures at venues including Arun Jaitley Stadium and academies around Punjab and Haryana. Sehwag's public persona includes friendships with personalities from cricket and entertainment such as Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kapil Dev, and commentators like Harsha Bhogle, and he continues to influence younger cricketers including Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan.
Category:Indian cricketers Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri