Virender Sehwag started his One Day International career in the year 1999. He joined the Indian Test cricket team in 2001. Virender Sehwag holds several records that also include the highest score made by an Indian in Test cricket which was also the fastest triple century in the history of international cricket. Virender Sehwag has also served as a vice captain under Rahul Dravid in October 2005 but was replaced by V. V. S. Laxman in December 2006 as Test vice-captain.
In April 2009, Virendra Sehwag became the only Indian to be honoured as the "Wisden Leading Cricketer" in the World for his performance in the year 2008, subsequently becoming the first player of any nationality to retain the award for 2009. In July 2014, Virender Sehwag played for the Rest of the World side in the Bicentenary Celebration match at Lord`s.
Early Life of Virender Sehwag
Virendra Sehwag was born in Haryana. He did hi schooling from Arora Vidya School in Delhi. He completed his graduation from Jamia Milia Islamia institute.
Cricket Career of Virender Sehwag
Virendra Sehwag made his debut for Delhi cricket team in1997-98 season. He was selected for the Duleep Trophy the following 1998-99 season. Thereafter he played Ranji Trophy where he made a rapid 187 from just 175 against Punjab. In mid 2001 he became a regular member of the National team.
Virendra Sehwag in One Day International Tournaments
Virendra Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan in April 1999. His dismal performance kept him away from the team for 20 months. He rose to prominence in his fourth ODI match in March 2001 against Australia in Bangalore. He helped India earn a victory. His international breakthrough came in August 2001 when he was promoted to the opening slot for the tri-series. He became a regular opener in absence of Sachin Tendulkar. He scored his maiden century that was the third fastest ODI century for an Indian. This performance earned him a regular spot in the ODI squad.
Virendra Sehwag as an Opener
As Virendra Sehwag performed well as an opener, Virendra Sehwag was made a permanent fixture at the top of the innings. He played consistently in the following matches. He scored 271 runs at 90.33 in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. In late 2002 he scored an unbeaten 114 from 82 balls that lead India to a nine wicket win over the West Indies.
In some of the tours in 2003 he struggled for runs. In 2004 he was back in his usual form and earned three MoM awards. Next two years he was suffering form injury and lack of consistency. However he was retained in the 2007 World Cup squad. He performed very badly. However in 2009, Sehwag made the fastest ODI hundred against New Zealand in just 60 balls. Sehwag was also a part of the national squad that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He created the record of scored highest ODI score against any team and reached legendary player Kapil Dev`s score of 175 in a world cup after 28 years.
Test Career of Virender Sehwag
Virendra Sehwag made his test debut in 2001 against South Africa in Bloemfontein as a middle-order batsman. He scored 105. After two half-centuries in the preceding series, he was promoted to a makeshift-opener on the 2002 England tour. He scored his maiden home-century of 147 in the First Test against the West Indies. Thereafter he scored 195 against Australia in 2003 at Melbourne. In early 2004, he became the only Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket against Pakistan.
He kept scoring centuries in the following Test series. He went on to become the fastest Indian to reach the mark in terms of innings played. In 2006 - 07 he was in poor form that saw him being dropped from the Test team in 2007. He was however picked for the third test in Perth and played a key part in India`s victory. He continued his good form against South Africa in the home series in April 2008. He became the third batsman after Sir Donald Bradman and Brian Lara to score 2 triple centuries in Test Cricket.
During Sri Lanka`s tour of India in 2009 he finished with the highest run getter of the series with 491 runs
Batting and Fielding Averages of Virender Sehwag
|
Mat |
Inns |
NO |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
BF |
SR |
100 |
50 |
4s |
6s |
Ct |
St |
| Tests |
104 |
180 |
6 |
8586 |
319 |
49.34 |
10441 |
82.23 |
23 |
32 |
1233 |
91 |
91 |
0 |
| ODIs |
251 |
245 |
9 |
8273 |
219 |
35.05 |
7929 |
104.33 |
15 |
38 |
1132 |
136 |
93 |
0 |
| T20Is |
19 |
18 |
0 |
394 |
68 |
21.88 |
271 |
145.38 |
0 |
2 |
43 |
16 |
2 |
0 |
| First-class |
192 |
317 |
11 |
14572 |
319 |
47.62 |
|
|
42 |
55 |
|
|
166 |
0 |
| List A |
332 |
321 |
14 |
10454 |
219 |
34.05 |
|
|
16 |
57 |
|
|
120 |
0 |
| Twenty20 |
156 |
154 |
6 |
4048 |
122 |
27.35 |
2733 |
148.11 |
2 |
24 |
487 |
146 |
41 |
0 |
Bowling Averages of Virender Sehwag
|
Mat |
Inns |
Balls |
Runs |
Wkts |
BBI |
BBM |
Ave |
Econ |
SR |
4w |
5w |
10 |
| Tests |
104 |
91 |
3731 |
1894 |
40 |
5/104 |
5/118 |
47.35 |
3.04 |
93.2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| ODIs |
251 |
146 |
4392 |
3853 |
96 |
4/6 |
4/6 |
40.13 |
5.26 |
45.7 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| T20Is |
19 |
1 |
6 |
20 |
0 |
- |
|
|
20 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| First-class |
192 |
|
8578 |
4446 |
105 |
5/104 |
|
42.34 |
3.1 |
81.6 |
|
1 |
0 |
| List A |
332 |
|
6009 |
5154 |
142 |
4/6 |
4/6 |
36.29 |
5.14 |
42.3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| Twenty20 |
156 |
28 |
358 |
496 |
22 |
3/14 |
3/14 |
22.54 |
8.31 |
16.2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Playing Style of Virender Sehwag
Virendra Sehwag was often compared to Sachin Tendulkar when he made his debut due to the similar batting style and appearance. His technique is considered as unorthodox, often backing away to free his arms while playing his shots to cut or drive spinners inside out. He has a strong square cutting and upper cutting and power through the off-side. He relatively lacks footwork. He is known for his attacking style of batting. Over the years his style has changed. In the last 2 years he has improved his leg side and bouncer hitting significantly.
Virendra Sehwag in Indian Premier League
Virendra Sehwag was the captain of the Delhi Daredevils in the first two edition of Indian Premier League, before he quit the position to concentrate more on his batting transferring it to Gautam Gambhir, the cricketer of Kolkata Knight Riders. However, for the fourth edition of IPL, Virendra Sehwag was the only player to be retained by the franchise, again as captain of the Delhi Daredevils. Virendra Sehwag again led the team in the fifth edition of the league, where he made the record of being the only batsman to score five consecutive half centuries in T20s. In 2015
Indian Premier League, Virendra Sehwag has signed for Kings XI Punjab.
Personal Life of Virendra Shewag
Virendra Shewag married Aarti Ahlawat in April 2004. The couple have two sons, Aryavir and Vedant.
