Virender Sehwag’s Career

In a country known for its cautious approach, India often favours safe investment choices that yield immediate returns over riskier, innovative ideas with the potential for greater rewards. This pragmatic outlook has produced many talents in Indian cricket, yet the nation also cherishes extraordinary stories. Occasionally, it celebrates unique individuals, such as a polio-stricken leg-spinner or a precocious teenager, who defy norms and captivate the public's imagination. Around the turn of the millennium, another such outlier emerged: a diminutive batsman from Najafgarh named Virender Sehwag, known for his explosive batting style, just as the Indian team was preparing for a challenging tour to South Africa.

The Dawn of a Test Career

Sehwag's entry into Test cricket was marked by a series of fortunate events, including the endorsement of former cricketers like Madan Lal and Jaywant Lele, and Sourav Ganguly's absence due to a slow over-rate against South Africa. These factors aligned to bring Sehwag into the Indian cricket team, where he received Test cap #239 at Bloemfontein in the Free State. As Sehwag, fond of wearing short-sleeved shirts, joined his idol Sachin Tendulkar at the crease, spectators noticed an uncanny similarity in their compact and powerful strokes, making it hard to distinguish between them. This resemblance excited Indian fans as Sehwag began dismantling the renowned South African bowling attack alongside Tendulkar. Experts noted that Sehwag's unorthodox style, which seemingly ignored technical conventions, focused all attention on him whenever he was at the crease.

A Revolutionary Approach to Batting

Sehwag's batting philosophy was simple: see the ball, hit the ball, allowing his body to follow his hands. This method, prioritising weight transfer overreaching the pitch, was initially considered impractical against high-quality bowling until Sehwag proved otherwise. He also possessed a unique ability to forget the previous ball's outcome, focusing solely on the next delivery, free from anxiety. Despite being labeled a limited-overs specialist, Sehwag's Test record became his most significant achievement. After a slow start, he announced his arrival with a blistering century off 69 balls against New Zealand in his 15th ODI, signalling his immense potential.

Sehwag's approach revolutioniszed the role of a Test opener. In 2002, on a challenging green pitch in Nottingham, he cemented his place with a composed century. Theseis innings marked the beginning of a prolific period, including a historic triple-century against Pakistan in Multan, where he became India's first triple-centurion in Test cricket. Sehwag's penchant for big scores defined his career, with 13 out of 23 Test centuries surpassing 150 runs. He further showcased his extraordinary talent with another triple hundred against South Africa in Chennai, joining an elite group of players with multiple triple centuries.

The Challenges of Injuries and Decline

Despite his success, Sehwag faced challenges, particularly with injuries affecting his form, especially on foreign pitches. His deteriorating performance led to his exclusion from the national team after a string of poor scores. Nonetheless, he continued to be a dominant force in the Indian subcontinent and played a crucial role in India's 2011 World Cup victory. A recurring shoulder injury and declining eyesight further hindered his performance, particularly in overseas conditions.

Sehwag returned to domestic cricket in a bid to regain his form but couldn't replicate his earlier magic. He played for the Delhi Daredevils and later Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, where he had notable performances, including a memorable 122 in the 2014 IPL eliminator. He eventually transitioned into a management role with Kings XI Punjab.

The End of a Glorious Career

On October 20, 2015, Sehwag announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket, ending a career marked by remarkable achievements and challenges. He left behind a legacy of record-breaking performances, including multiple triple centuries and a key role in India's World Cup triumph. Despite being dropped from the Test team due to a lack of big scores in the latter part of his career, Sehwag's impact on the game was undeniable. Reflecting on his departure and the decisions of the selection committee, Sehwag dismissed the situation with characteristic nonchalance, questioning rhetorically, "And whose loss is that?" His career remains a testament to his fearless approach to batting and his lasting influence on Indian cricket.