Blast From the Past: Virender Sehwag Reveals Knock That Got him India Cap
Virender Sehwag, who announced his retirement from international cricket and the IPL recently, tweeted about the one special knock that helped him get into the Indian team.
Virender Sehwag's journey in Indian cricket is a fascinating story. From his debut in 1999 to his exploits in the IPL in 2014, Sehwag has thrilled the world with his aggressive batting. However, on Sunday, he revealed the one knock that helped him get a berth in the Indian team. Sehwag had announced his retirement on October 20 from both international cricket and IPL. (Sadness of Not Getting a Farewell Match Will Always Remain: Virender Sehwag)
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Sehwag tweeted about an old scorecard that helped him get into the Indian team. He also pointed out that in that match, his strike-rate was sizzling and one to be proud of. (Sachin Tendulkar Stopped Me from Retiring in 2007: Virender Sehwag)
Found the score sheet that led to my selection into the Indian team .look guys my strike rate hasn't changed much !
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 1, 2015
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 1, 2015
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The old scorecard that gave Sehwag the ticket to the Indian team was in the year 2000 when Zimbabwe had come to India for two Tests and five ODIs. Zimbabwe were scheduled to play two warm-up games before the start of the first Test in New Delhi on November 18. After a strong showing in the first warm-up game at Indore, they arrived at the Nahar Singh stadium in Faridabad for their second warm-up game. (Virender Sehwag Retires from International Cricket)
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The Board President's XI won the toss and chose to bat first and they were in a spot of bother at 119/3. In stepped Sehwag at number six and he shared a magnificent 108-run partnership with Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Sehwag blasted 60 off 78 balls at a strike-rate of 76, including nine fours and two sixes. Thanks to Sehwag's blitz and Kanitkar's century, Board President's XI managed 314/5 declared.
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Zimbabwe responded with 236/5 declared and in the second innings, Sehwag slammed a whirlwind 58 off 47 balls, including 13 fours and a strike-rate of 123. Although Board President's XI lost the match by four wickets, his wonderful knocks garnered the attention of the selectors.
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After India won the Test and ODI series 1-0 and 4-1 respectively, Sehwag continued his fine form in domestic cricket for Delhi in the 2000/01 season, scoring 757 runs at an average of 58. His good show at home resulted in his call-up for the series against South Africa in 2001 and in the first Test in Bloemfontein, he responded with a magnificent 105 and shared a 220-run stand with his idol, Sachin Tendulkar.
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Sehwag's international journey began in 2001 on that cloudy, tough morning in Bloemfontein. 8586 Test runs, 8273 ODI runs later, Sehwag's exploits for India are sensational. However, the seeds of Sehwag's India success were sown in Nahar Singh stadium in Faridabad on a cold, November morning 15 years ago.