Virender Sehwag, a phenomenon in Indian Cricket has finally calls it a day. A batsman who played fearless cricket throughout his career and gave so much joy to every cricket fans.
My first memory of Sehwag was way back in an ODI match against Aussies at home under Dada's captaincy. Sehwag won the MoM award for his contribution with both bat and ball. He scored a fifty while batting down the order and also picked up three wickets. I still remember watching that game in my neighbour's home and remembered this guy's name.
When Sehwag was back in Indian team as an opener, the first thing that made me like him instantly was his batting stance, he looked exactly like Sachin. During his initial days it was always a confusion when both of them are batting together. As a Sachinist this made me a fan of him easily. And, he and Sachin must be one of the most dangerous opening pair in ODIs.
He changed the way test matches are played and made them entertaining. If he gets going he will be near his hundred before lunch. Few people are struggling to maintain his test strike rate (82.23) in ODIs. He will be the only guy who tries to hit a six when he was 195 or 295, nobody will even think about it. Only Sehwag can do those, and he won't mind getting out as well. When Viru opened with Dravid in an innings they were very near to break the record for highest opening partnership, but he got out. Sehwag didn't even feel about missing the record because he wasn't even aware of it. That's Sehwag, he never really cared about records.
And, when he started opening with Ghambir in all formats, they were like Rabne Bana De Jodi. My most favourite innings in test will be the triple century against SA in Chennai, he was playing it like an ODI. Also his eighty odd runs while chasing against England which made team India to believe themselves to chase more than 380 in that match. And, most of his ODI innings he played, if he was in the crease for more than twenty overs, it would be absolute entertainment. Hitting first ball to boundary in five consecutive matches in 2011 worldcup.
And, he sometimes wins matches for India with his bowling as well. One of his best must be against S.A in a champions trophy where India pulled victory out of nowhere. Also, in another match against Sri Lanka in an Asia cup which made them qualify to the finals. In test, against Aussies in Perth where he bowls Gilly around his legs which brought a famous victory for India. Also, in that same match he insisted then captain to give one more over to Ishant when he was bowling one of the best spells in test cricket to Ponting. And, Ishant gets the wicket of Ponting the very first ball.
During a test match against Kiwis in New Zeland, there was a guy with a board saying 'Sehwhack', when he was hitting the bowlers all over the park toward the end of the day's play. And, he immediately gets out, the guy changed the board from 'Sehwhack' to 'Idiot'. Yes he makes you think he's an idiot for throwing away his wicket when he was batting so well, but that's how he plays. The only player who never changed the way he played right from his debut till the end of his career.
My only regret is he didn't break Lara's record for highest individual score in tests, I believed only he could break it. It's really unfair that he didn't get a farewell series, he really deserved it. And, just like the way he played he will never mind about this as well.
The most relaxed cricketer who keeps humming songs while batting in any situation and gives nightmares to the bowlers. Bye bye Viru, you are rare and we will miss you.
My first memory of Sehwag was way back in an ODI match against Aussies at home under Dada's captaincy. Sehwag won the MoM award for his contribution with both bat and ball. He scored a fifty while batting down the order and also picked up three wickets. I still remember watching that game in my neighbour's home and remembered this guy's name.
When Sehwag was back in Indian team as an opener, the first thing that made me like him instantly was his batting stance, he looked exactly like Sachin. During his initial days it was always a confusion when both of them are batting together. As a Sachinist this made me a fan of him easily. And, he and Sachin must be one of the most dangerous opening pair in ODIs.
He changed the way test matches are played and made them entertaining. If he gets going he will be near his hundred before lunch. Few people are struggling to maintain his test strike rate (82.23) in ODIs. He will be the only guy who tries to hit a six when he was 195 or 295, nobody will even think about it. Only Sehwag can do those, and he won't mind getting out as well. When Viru opened with Dravid in an innings they were very near to break the record for highest opening partnership, but he got out. Sehwag didn't even feel about missing the record because he wasn't even aware of it. That's Sehwag, he never really cared about records.
And, when he started opening with Ghambir in all formats, they were like Rabne Bana De Jodi. My most favourite innings in test will be the triple century against SA in Chennai, he was playing it like an ODI. Also his eighty odd runs while chasing against England which made team India to believe themselves to chase more than 380 in that match. And, most of his ODI innings he played, if he was in the crease for more than twenty overs, it would be absolute entertainment. Hitting first ball to boundary in five consecutive matches in 2011 worldcup.
And, he sometimes wins matches for India with his bowling as well. One of his best must be against S.A in a champions trophy where India pulled victory out of nowhere. Also, in another match against Sri Lanka in an Asia cup which made them qualify to the finals. In test, against Aussies in Perth where he bowls Gilly around his legs which brought a famous victory for India. Also, in that same match he insisted then captain to give one more over to Ishant when he was bowling one of the best spells in test cricket to Ponting. And, Ishant gets the wicket of Ponting the very first ball.
During a test match against Kiwis in New Zeland, there was a guy with a board saying 'Sehwhack', when he was hitting the bowlers all over the park toward the end of the day's play. And, he immediately gets out, the guy changed the board from 'Sehwhack' to 'Idiot'. Yes he makes you think he's an idiot for throwing away his wicket when he was batting so well, but that's how he plays. The only player who never changed the way he played right from his debut till the end of his career.
My only regret is he didn't break Lara's record for highest individual score in tests, I believed only he could break it. It's really unfair that he didn't get a farewell series, he really deserved it. And, just like the way he played he will never mind about this as well.
The most relaxed cricketer who keeps humming songs while batting in any situation and gives nightmares to the bowlers. Bye bye Viru, you are rare and we will miss you.
