Former Indian cricket team legend Virender Sehwag celebrated his 41st birthday on Sunday. Viru was well-known for his fearless approach to the field. A real deal in the sport, Sehwag went on to carve out his name in the history books. The ICC 2011 World Cup and 2007 World T20 winner has gone on to don many hats post his retirement. However, he continues to be vocal and doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind.
Sehwag boasted of a plethora of records across Tests and ODIs and delivered for Team India. He never shied away and scored immensely. The Najafgarh-born cricketer was well known for scoring the big scores. He had the knack of powering himself to daddy hundreds in Tests. And not just that, he often got to milestones in style.
Sehwag’s impact in the game cannot be described just by statistics. He was a special batsman altogether. A lot of credit goes to GOAT Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir for providing the foundation and allowing him to play in the manner which suited his style. He enjoyed the luxuries upfront in ODIs and Tests in support of Tendulkar and Gambhir.
Sehwag was a fun personality. He enjoyed his cricket and played valiantly. Notably, he used to crack jokes and sing songs before hitting sixes with ease. That was indeed a special attribute that only Viru could carry.
Sehwag thrived in Tests and ODI cricket and his aggressive style terrorized even the best bowlers of the world. He did well both at home and away and benefited immensely from his fearless attitude and style. He managed to give India the freedom upfront and often set the foundation.
In this article, we look at Sehwag’s records and achievements as he celebrates his 41st birthday.
Sehwag’s career records spoke volumes of himself
The right-handed batsman amassed a staggering 8,586 runs in 104 Test matches. He averaged 49.34 and smashed 23 tons besides getting 32 fifties as well. Notably, he hit a ton on his debut against South Africa after batting in the middle order. His strike-rate of 82.33 in Tests showed why he was an absolute beast.
Sehwag’s 12-year Test career came to an end in 2013. He went on to smash two triple tons and four double hundreds. This was a rare feat that Sehwag scripted to show his mettle in the longest format.
In ODI cricket, Sehwag showed his prowess and did not lag behind in any manner. The celebrated cricketer played 251 matches. He notched 8,273 runs with 15 tons and 38 fifties. He averaged 35.05 and enjoyed a healthy strike-rate of 104.33. His best was 219.
The swashbuckling batsman also played 19 T20Is for India.
He was the first Indian to score a triple ton in Tests
Happy Birthday Mr. Triple Centurion @virendersehwag 😎😎👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/CavtNuG6ze
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 19, 2019
Sehwag was a giant in terms of the big scores and he had his own space in this zone. He became the first Indian to score a triple century in Test matches; he beat VVS Laxman’s record of 281 which was the highest individual score until the Nawab of Najafgarh made 309 against Pakistan at Multan in 2004.
That was when he was given the tag as the ‘Sultan of Multan’ after he got to the landmark moment with a six. He was batting on 295 and smashed a six off Saqlain Mushtaq to complete the 300. He was the first batsman to reach a 300 with a six in Test cricket.
Interestingly, Sehwag had got out on 195 when he tried completing his maiden double century with a six which was against Australia at MCG. However, he got to 300 with a six and scripted a new feat.
Sehwag belongs to an elite list consisting Bradman
The aggressive batsman scored four double hundreds and two triple tons in Test cricket. Notably, the dashing cricketer holds the joint-best record for the most triple tons in Tests alongside Don Bradman, Chris Gayle and Brian Lara (2 each).
After scoring his maiden 300 on March 29, 2004, against Pakistan, Sehwag scored another triple century on March 28, 2008, against South Africa at MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Interestingly, Viru was out on 293 against Sri Lanka at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on December 4, 2009. He missed out on becoming the first to score three triple tons.
Other notable records held by Sehwag in cricket
The aggressive opener was the second Indian to hit a double century in ODI cricket after Sachin Tendulkar. He is also the fifth-highest in terms of amassing the most Test runs for India. Viru also became the fifth Indian to amass 8,500-plus runs in Test cricket.
He is the fourth-highest when it comes to career Test tons for India after Sachin Tendulkar (51), Rahul Dravid (36), Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Virat Kohli (26).
Out of his 23 Test tons, seven hundred were registered in less than 100 balls. In another unique and notable record, between December 26, 2003, and July 31, 2008, Sehwag made 11 Test centuries in that period. And interestingly he converted all those into scores of 150 and above.
Nothing happens in cricket while batting if there are no partnerships. On this note, Sehwag and Tendulkar have the ninth-highest partnership runs in ODI cricket (4,387). The two have the fourth-highest tally in terms of partnership runs for the Indian cricket team.
In Tests, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir amassed the eighth-highest partnership runs (4,412). They also have the second-best tally by an Indian pair.
Is Rohit Sharma the new Viru in Tests?
We all know how Rohit Sharma has been a celebrated cricketer in limited-overs. However, the senior Indian batsman was inducted as an opener in Test cricket for the first time in the ongoing Test series against South Africa. Rohit played 27 Tests prior to the first match against SA and all of them saw him batting in the middle.
Since coming on as an opener, Rohit slammed a record-breaking twin ton in the first Test at Vizag. He also hit a double century (212) on Sunday in the ongoing third Test. And what a way to do that. He achieved the feat on Viru’s birthday. He also got to his double ton with a six.
What Rohit brings is that attacking intent like Sehwag. Also, he can get those big hundreds as seen in this series. This is something Viru achieved on a regular basis in Tests. With Rohit in such form, it only helps India to lay a foundation of victory by seizing the momentum and attacking the opposition.