Virender Sehwag, one of India’s most explosive openers, has revealed that he came close to ending his...
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag is widely regarded as one of the most explosive and fearless opening batters in the history of cricket. Representing India from 1999 to 2013, Sehwag revolutionized the art of opening the innings with his aggressive intent, impeccable hand-eye coordination, and ability to dominate world-class bowlers from the first ball. Nicknamed the “Nawab of Najafgarh,” he was known not only for his batting brilliance but also for his straightforward attitude and game-changing performances.
Early Life and Background
Born on October 20, 1978, in Najafgarh, Delhi, Sehwag honed his cricketing skills on the dusty fields of North India. His early rise through the domestic circuit was marked by rapid centuries and bold strokeplay. He made his debut for Delhi in the late 1990s and quickly became one of the most talked-about young batters in Indian cricket.
International Career Overview
Virender Sehwag made his ODI debut in 1999 and Test debut in 2001. While his initial few matches were quiet, he soon turned heads with a breathtaking century against New Zealand in 2001. What followed was a legendary career that saw him break records across formats.
Sehwag was the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, a feat he achieved not once but twice — against Pakistan in Multan (2004) and South Africa in Chennai (2008). In ODIs, he played several memorable innings, including a then-record 219 against West Indies in 2011, making him only the second player to score a double century in ODIs at the time.
Virender Sehwag – Career Stats
Format Matches Runs 100s/50s Highest Score Batting Average Strike Rate
Test 104 8,586 23/32 319 49.34 82.23
ODI 251 8,273 15/38 219 35.05 104.33
T20I 19 394 0/2 68 21.88 145.38
*Stats reflect Sehwag’s career until retirement in 2013.
IPL and Franchise Cricket
Sehwag played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and later for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). He was among the most impactful players in the early IPL seasons, known for blistering starts at the top and memorable knocks like his 122 for Punjab in IPL 2014 Qualifier 2.
Playing Style and Strengths
Aggressive opening batter with unmatched intent
Specialized in playing fast bowlers and spinners with equal ease
Capable of turning a match in a single session
Mentally fearless and never changed his natural game regardless of conditions
Sehwag’s ability to maintain a high strike rate in Test matches is considered revolutionary. His stroke-making redefined the approach to batting in red-ball cricket.
Post-Retirement Career
Since retiring from international cricket in 2015, Sehwag has taken up various roles including cricket commentator, mentor, coach, and social media influencer. He is known for his humorous, bold takes on cricketing issues and continues to be one of the most followed former cricketers in India.
Achievements and Records
First Indian to score two triple centuries in Test cricket
Fastest triple century in Test history (278 balls)
Second-highest individual ODI score at the time (219)
Only Indian with over 7,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs
Member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad
Named Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2008 and 2009)
Latest News and Highlights
Follow thelivecricketscore for updates on Virender Sehwag’s latest cricketing opinions, commentary highlights, social media reactions, interviews, and involvement in Legends League Cricket or T20 exhibition matches.
Why Follow Virender Sehwag on TheLiveCricketScore
Coverage of his legendary innings and milestones
Post-retirement insights and match predictions
Commentary highlights and viral social media posts
In-depth retrospectives and stats breakdowns
Exclusive content from Legends League and special events
Virender Sehwag is widely regarded as one of the most explosive and fearless opening batters in the history of cricket. Representing India from 1999 to 2013, Sehwag revolutionized the art of opening the innings with his aggressive intent, impeccable hand-eye coordination, and ability to dominate world-class bowlers from the first ball. Nicknamed the “Nawab of Najafgarh,” he was known not only for his batting brilliance but also for his straightforward attitude and game-changing performances.
Early Life and Background
Born on October 20, 1978, in Najafgarh, Delhi, Sehwag honed his cricketing skills on the dusty fields of North India. His early rise through the domestic circuit was marked by rapid centuries and bold strokeplay. He made his debut for Delhi in the late 1990s and quickly became one of the most talked-about young batters in Indian cricket.
International Career Overview
Virender Sehwag made his ODI debut in 1999 and Test debut in 2001. While his initial few matches were quiet, he soon turned heads with a breathtaking century against New Zealand in 2001. What followed was a legendary career that saw him break records across formats.
Sehwag was the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, a feat he achieved not once but twice — against Pakistan in Multan (2004) and South Africa in Chennai (2008). In ODIs, he played several memorable innings, including a then-record 219 against West Indies in 2011, making him only the second player to score a double century in ODIs at the time.
Virender Sehwag – Career Stats
Format Matches Runs 100s/50s Highest Score Batting Average Strike Rate
Test 104 8,586 23/32 319 49.34 82.23
ODI 251 8,273 15/38 219 35.05 104.33
T20I 19 394 0/2 68 21.88 145.38
*Stats reflect Sehwag’s career until retirement in 2013.
IPL and Franchise Cricket
Sehwag played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and later for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). He was among the most impactful players in the early IPL seasons, known for blistering starts at the top and memorable knocks like his 122 for Punjab in IPL 2014 Qualifier 2.
Playing Style and Strengths
Aggressive opening batter with unmatched intent
Specialized in playing fast bowlers and spinners with equal ease
Capable of turning a match in a single session
Mentally fearless and never changed his natural game regardless of conditions
Sehwag’s ability to maintain a high strike rate in Test matches is considered revolutionary. His stroke-making redefined the approach to batting in red-ball cricket.
Post-Retirement Career
Since retiring from international cricket in 2015, Sehwag has taken up various roles including cricket commentator, mentor, coach, and social media influencer. He is known for his humorous, bold takes on cricketing issues and continues to be one of the most followed former cricketers in India.
Achievements and Records
First Indian to score two triple centuries in Test cricket
Fastest triple century in Test history (278 balls)
Second-highest individual ODI score at the time (219)
Only Indian with over 7,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs
Member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad
Named Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2008 and 2009)
Latest News and Highlights
Follow thelivecricketscore for updates on Virender Sehwag’s latest cricketing opinions, commentary highlights, social media reactions, interviews, and involvement in Legends League Cricket or T20 exhibition matches.
Why Follow Virender Sehwag on TheLiveCricketScore
Coverage of his legendary innings and milestones
Post-retirement insights and match predictions
Commentary highlights and viral social media posts
In-depth retrospectives and stats breakdowns
Exclusive content from Legends League and special events