Stats: Virender Sehwag - A statistical analysis

Can Viru make a comeback?

Virender Sehwag would be celebrating his 35th birthday today (October 20). Even for those who have closely followed Sehwag’s career over the years, it would be difficult to comprehend the kind of success he has achieved at the international level. Primarily a off-spinning all-rounder, he was promoted to open the innings by the then captain-coach pair of Sourav Ganguly and John Wright. A move that reaped rich benefits and went on to annihilate the opposition teams for a decade that followed.

Looking at his statistics, it is quite evident that Sehwag relishes playing in Asian conditions in both formats of the game – Tests and ODIs. While the Nawab of Najafgarh has had a stellar Test career, it would be fair to say he underachieved in the limited overs internationals for India. But it doesn’t in anyway take the kind of impact he had on opposition.

Sehwag’s presence at the crease for 15 overs more often than or not took the opposition out of the game. The best example of that would be the semi-final match against Pakistan in World Cup 2011. We all know that if Umar Gul starts off well, he almost always ends well. If he doesn’t, it turns out pretty worse.

Sehwag took off in a glorious fashion by scoring 32 off his 38 runs in just 19 balls off Umar Gul, and Suresh Raina later capitalized on Gul’s erratic bowling at the death by rescuing India from a precarious position to give themselves a decent target to defend. Umar Gul ended with figures of 8-0-69-0.

Although Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the man of the match, it was Sehwag who won it for India along with the bowlers. Now out of the team owing to poor form and lack of adequate fitness and with the emergence of performing youngsters, it is difficult to see him back in the setup especially when his domestic performances do not present a case for him. Anyways, he will always remain a genius in sub continental conditions and perhaps the greatest match winner in sub continental Tests, the game has ever seen.

Here is a look at his statistics..

In Tests:

In ODIs:

Note: Stats updated till October 20, 2013.