Virender Sehwag announced his arrival on the international stage with a brilliant hundred in a test match against the world-class South African bowling attack comprising of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Ntini and Lance Klusener in 2000. Since then, he was a tormentor of many world-class bowlers on his day.
At the beginning of his now legendary career, his batting style was eerily similar to the Little Master, Sachin R. Tendulkar. He was often referred to as the 'Tendulkar Clone'. But that is where the comparison stopped. Virender Sehwag was a very aggressive batsman. He batted with a simple philosophy - if the ball is in his hitting zone, he will dispatch it with disdain. And he did that on countless occasions. The key to his belligerent batting was his immaculate hand-eye coordination which made batting look ridiculously simple even on the tracks with assistance for fast bowlers and spinners.
It did not take him long to please the purists of the game. His batting technique was uncomplicated - minimal feet movement and excellent hand-eye coordination much to chagrin of cricketing purists.The one thing that distinguished him from his illustrious compatriots and contemporaries was his penchant for mammoth scores in test matches and one day internationals. So, it is hardly surprising that the Nawab of Najafgarh, as he is affectionately called by press and commentators, is the only Indian batsman who has scored 2 triple centuries in test matches and 1 double century in ODIs in the history of Indian cricket.
In one of the interviews, he candidly revealed the conversation he had with the master, Sachin R. Tendulkar, during the India-South Africa test series. Sachin said, "I hope, tomorrow is your day". Pat came the trademark reply from Virender Sehwag in Hindi, "Agar Kal Mera Din Hua Toh South Africa waale mar jaayenge". Sachin's utterance came true in that landmark test match. Virender Sehwag went on to score his first triple century by an Indian against the potent South African bowling attack. During his marathon inning, he broke numerous records along the way. Most importantly, he proved to the world that the Indian batsmen has it in them to score a triple ton or two. I bet, even his staunchest of critics would have applauded on this great inning which cemented his legacy as one of the most destructive batsman to have played the game.
Fast forward his batting exploits to 2005 when India played against their arch-rivals, Pakistan. Virender Sehwag was at the forefront yet again. He decimated their bowling attack comprising Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq in a test match played at Multan. He rewrote the record books and redefined the art of batting in test matches and one day internationals with his inimitable aggressive batting. He brought up his record equaling 2nd triple century and that too against arch rivals Pakistan in their own backyard. He was unfazed by what score he was batting on. In this epic knock, he was batting in 290s when stepped out to the ace off spinner, Saqlain Mustaq, and lofted him to long on boundary to bring up his 300! How many batsmen would have had that kind of courage and conviction in their own abilities to go for a risky shot? None. He was different. The knock was so special that even the Pakistan's die hard supporters couldn't help, but applauded the genius they witnessed on that day. Virender Sehwag not only brought up his world record equaling 2nd triple ton, but he also has the distinction of becoming the fastest triple centurion ever.
If you thought this was all, then you are grossly mistaken. Virender Sehwag also went on to become the second double centurion after the master Sachin R. Tendulkar in One Day Internationals against West Indies and in the process, became the highest scorer in the history of ODIs. He held the record for a brief period before it was bettered by another Indian batsman, Rohit Sharma. It is a matter of great pride that the first and second ever double centurions were Indians. Also, the current record holder for the highest score is also an Indian, Rohit Sharma.
Looking back at the spectacular cricketing career of Virender Sehwag, I couldn't help but confess that you were a supreme entertainer whose only equal was the West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards. With the recent retirement of Virender Sehwag, the golden era of the Indian batting came to an end. Thank you for the brilliance, Viru! I am glad that you came along. Wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
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