10 interesting stories and records about Virender Sehwag
Commentator - “Two balls remaining and India needs six runs to win. India’s hopes are hinged on only one man” (Crowds cheering in the background Sehwag, Sehwag). Virender Sehwag walks in the middle, plays and misses the first ball. The camera suddenly turns to the crowd where a cell phone is ringing. The man looks at his phone and whispers “Sehwag ki maa” (Sehwag’s mother’s call). He then tells himself that he will give the phone after the match. A young kid who was watching this, snatches the phone from the man’s hands and runs over to handover the phone to Sehwag.
Sehwag reads the message “Kar lo duniya mutthi main” (Conquer the world) and hits the next ball for six.
Above is an excerpt from an old telecom ad featuring the legendary batsman Virender Sehwag. To say that he did indeed conquer the cricketing world would be an understatement. His record speaks volume about his achievements.
His style was unique and he did change the way one looked at opening batting in Test matches. Harsha Bhogle had once rightly said, “You hardly ever analysed Sehwag’s innings, you just enjoyed them.”
Talking about enjoyment, much like he enjoyed his batting and entertained fans world over, these days he has been entertaining fans with his witty commentary and tweets.
So, on his 38th birthday, we bring to you some interesting records and stories about The Nawab of Najafgarh.
#10 When Sehwag’s father tried to end his cricket career
Sehwag was born in the family of a grain merchant and, as a result, his father wanted him to study and take over the family business. In the early years, he did not appreciate Sehwag’s obsession with cricket.
This disapproval reached its peak when a 12-year-old Sehwag came home after losing one of his tooth. Recalling the incident his father said, “I spent Rs. 5000 to replace his broken tooth, I did not want to see him hurt like that.” Being a concerned a father who did not want his child to be hurt, he put a ban on Sehwag’s cricket.
But Sehwag who never had a liking for rules, with the help of his mother, pursued cricket. He used to hide his playing kit on the terrace to escape his father’s eyes, but his father knew what was going on behind his eyes but by now had resigned to his son’s obsession with the game.
Thankfully, Sehwag went on to play cricket and win matches for India.