Virender Sehwag – The Nawab of Najafgarh
Date Of Birth: October 20,1978
Virender Sehwag or ‘Veeru’ as he is popularly known is a exceptionally talented cricket batsman from India. He has the gift of timing the cricket ball who can take away the game from the opposition in a span of few overs. He scored 309 runs against Pakistan in Multan to record the highest Test score by an Indian. In 2005, Sehwag was described as the most exciting opener in the World by Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack.
Virender Sehwag was born on October 20, 1978, in Najafgarh, Delhi, India. His parents are Krishna Sehwag and Krishna kumari Sehwag. He has two elder sisters Manju and Anju. He also has a younger brother Vinod Sehwag. He studied in Arora Vidya School, Delhi. He is married to Arti Alhawat in 2004.
On 1 April, 1999, Virender Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan at the C A Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh. He scored 5153 runs in 175 one-day international matches at an average of 31. 61.
Virender Sehwag made his Test debut against South Africa at Good Year Park, Bloemfontein on November 3, 2001. He scored 4155 runs in 52 Test matches at an impressive average of 49.46. Virender Sehwag is a useful off-break bowler as well. He captured 90 wickets in both forms of the game.
In 1997, Virender Sehwag made his domestic debut for Delhi Ranji cricket team. In 2000, Sehwag played for the U-19 Indian team that toured South Africa. His domination in the domestic season helped him to play for his country. In 1999, Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan in the home series at Mohali. In 2001, in the home ODI series against Australia in Bangalore, Sehwag scored a brilliant 58 runs in just 54 balls and took three wickets with his off-breaks.
In 2001, Virender Sehwag scored his maiden ODI century in just 69 deliveries against New Zealand in Sri Lanka. He was awarded with the man of the match award for his swashbuckling innings. In 2002, Sehwag hit the second fastest half-century by an Indian in just 22 deliveries in Bloefontein against Kenya.
In 2001, Sehwag made his International Test debut against South Africa at Bloemfontein. Sehwag scored his maiden Test century of 105 runs against South Africa in his debut Test match. He scored his second Test century against England at Trent Bridge in 2002. In the home series against West Indies in 2002, Sehwag scored his third Test century of 147 runs in Mumbai. In 2003, in the away Test series against Australia, he scored 195 runs at Melbourne.
Virender Sehwag is an aggressive and talented cricket batsman. The opening combination of Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar is a great asset for Indian cricket team. Sehwag scored 426 runs at an impressive average of 42.6 with four brilliant half-centuries in the away series against England in 2002. His good form continued in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. He scored his second century of 126 runs against England and 58 runs against South Africa. He contributed with the ball by picking 3/25 in the semifinal match to help India to reach the Final. Sehwag scored his third century of 114 runs in just 82 deliveries in the home series against West Indies in RajKot.
In 2003 Cricket World Cup, Sehwag scored 82 runs in the Final against Australia. India lost the match. He scored 130 runs against New Zealand in Hyderabad which was his fourth ODI century. In 2007 World Cup, Sehwag scored 114 runs in just 87 deliveries against Bermuda at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
In 2004, Virender Sehwag scored 309 runs against Pakistan in the first Test match in Multan. He is the first Indian player to score a triple century. He scored 164 runs against South Africa in Kanpur.
In 2006, in the away Test series against West Indies, Sehwag scored 180 runs and captured 4 wickets in the second Test match in St.Lucia. He was awarded the Man of the Match.
Sehwag is selected to play in the Twenty 20 World Cup in South Africa. India beat Pakistan in the Final to clinch the inaugural Twenty 20 World Cup.
