“Thank you for inspiring generations with your fearless cricket” - Wishes pour in as Virender Sehwag celebrates his 46th birthday
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag received an outpouring of birthday wishes as he turned 46 on Sunday, October 20. The Delhi native, who retired from international cricket in 2015, left an indelible mark on the game.
Over his career, Sehwag played 104 Tests, scoring 8,586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34 and a strike rate of 82.23, with 32 fifties and 23 centuries. He also set the record for the most triple centuries (2) by an Indian in Test cricket.
In ODIs, Sehwag played 251 matches, amassing 8,273 runs, including 38 fifties and 15 centuries. He made history in 2011 by becoming the second player ever to score a double hundred in ODIs, following Sachin Tendulkar. Additionally, he featured in 19 T20Is, scoring 394 runs with two fifties.
As the legendary batter celebrated his birthday on October 20, he received countless greetings on X. Here are some of the reactions:
“Veeru bhai, on your special day and always, thank you for inspiring generations with your fearless cricket and joyful spirit! Happy birthday,” Suresh Raina wrote.
“Happy Birthday to a fantastic player and a younger brother. Wish him a great day and a happy life ahead,” wrote Sourav Ganguly.
“Happy Birthday to one of the greatest ever openers, Virender Sehwag! A legend who redefined the role of an opener with his explosive batting and fearless approach," a fan said.
“Happy Birthday, brother @virendersehwag. The memories of your blazing centuries, your double and triple hundred, will forever be etched in the hearts of cricket lovers. Off the field, your wit, humor, and insightful takes on life and cricket continue to entertain and inspire us all. Wishing you many more years of greatness, both on and off the field," wrote Harbhajan Singh.
Virender Sehwag was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning squads
The Delhi cricketer was part of the team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The Men in Blue defeated Pakistan in the final by five runs to clinch the title. Sehwag scored 133 runs in five innings, including one fifty.
The 46-year-old was also part of the team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup, where India triumphed over Sri Lanka in the final by six wickets, securing the championship after a 28-year wait. The right-handed batter scored 380 runs in eight matches, averaging 47.50, with one fifty and one century to his credit.