Virender Sehwag has constructed an extraordinary career with a relentless quest, and a genius, for boundary hitting. With minimal footwork but maximum intent, he has piled Test runs at a faster pace than anyone in the history of cricket. Bowlers must always fancy their chances against a batsman who plays so many strokes; it’s just that Sehwag fancies his chances against them much more.
Full Name: Virender Sehwag
Nickname: Viru, Nawab of Najafgarh
Date of Birth: October 20, 1978
Birthplace: Najafgarh, Delhi, India
Batting Style: Right-handed
Bowling Style: Right-arm off-break
Role: Opening batsman
International Career: 1999–2013
Early Life and Background:
Virender Sehwag was born into a Jat family in Najafgarh, a small town near Delhi. He developed an interest in cricket at a very young age, inspired by his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. His aggressive batting style was evident even during his school days. Sehwag studied at Jamia Millia Islamia and also trained at the Sonnet Cricket Club in Delhi under coach A.N. Sharma.
Domestic and Early Career:
Sehwag began his cricketing career playing for Delhi in domestic cricket. He made a mark with his aggressive strokeplay and soon earned a reputation as a hard-hitting batsman. His performances in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy helped him get selected for the national team.
International Career Highlights:
ODI Debut: April 1, 1999, vs Pakistan
Test Debut: November 3, 2001, vs South Africa
T20I Debut: December 1, 2006, vs South Africa
Sehwag is known for revolutionizing opening batting in Test cricket with his fearless approach.
He was the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket (309 vs Pakistan in 2004).
He repeated the feat with 319 against South Africa in 2008, becoming one of the few players to have two triple hundreds in Tests.
In ODIs, Sehwag scored a record-breaking 219 against West Indies in 2011, then the highest individual score in ODIs.
He was part of the Indian teams that won the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Playing Style:
Sehwag was known for his aggressive batting, fearless strokeplay, and exceptional hand-eye coordination. Unlike many openers, he rarely played cautiously and often took on bowlers right from the first ball. His ability to score quickly changed the dynamics of Test and ODI matches.
Career Stats:
Test Matches: 104
- Runs: 8,586
- Average: 49.34
- 100s/50s: 23/32
- Highest Score: 319
ODIs: 251
- Runs: 8,273
- Average: 35.05
- 100s/50s: 15/38
- Highest Score: 219
T20Is: 19
- Runs: 394
- Average: 21.88
- Highest Score: 68
Post-Retirement:
Sehwag retired from international cricket in 2015. Post-retirement, he became a cricket commentator and analyst. He is known for his humorous and sharp takes on cricket, especially on Twitter. He also opened the Sehwag International School in Haryana to promote education and sports among youth.
Awards and Honors:
Arjuna Award (2002)
Padma Shri (2010)
Multiple ICC honors and several records for fastest centuries in Test cricket.
Legacy:
Virender Sehwag is remembered as one of India’s most destructive and entertaining batsmen. His fearless style redefined opening batting in Tests and made him a fan favorite across formats.
Would you like a downloadable version or timeline of his achievements?