Virender Sehwag Reveals How Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar Made Him a Destructive Force

Virender Sehwag's achievements in Indian cricket are paramount. The first Indian to score a triple century in Tests, the elite few who scored two triple tons in Tests and one armed with a strike-rate of over 82 in Tests. In ODIs, he became the second batsmen to score a double century while his big-hitting exploits at break-neck speed enthralled audiences. (Sachin Tendulkar Stopped Me From Retiring in 2007, Says Virender Sehwag)

After his retirement in September, he played the All Stars Twenty20, playing for Sachin Tendulkar's team Sachin Blasters and was recently felicitated by the Delhi District Cricket Association. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sehwag revealed several interesting facets about his cricketing journey, right from the time of his debut till his final days in international cricket. (Virender Sehwag Retires From International Cricket Officially)

Sehwag endured a horror debut against Pakistan in 1999 in Mohali. He managed to score just one run and was smashed for 35 runs in three overs. He remembered that day like it was yesterday. (Doesn't Work Like That: Selectors on Virender Sehwag's Farewell)

"I could not see the ball which got me out. It was that quick. Shahid Nazir ki ball par edge lag gayi and jaise taise ek single mil gaya (I Got an edge of Shahid Nazir's ball somehow), but Shoaib was really quick. I was sitting alone in the team bus when Sourav Ganguly approached me and said, "Agar drop hota hain toh itne run maarna ki vaapas tam me aaye (If you get dropped, score so many runs that you can come back to the team)".

It is this advice from Ganguly which helped Sehwag prosper in the coming seasons. In the 2000/01 season, Sehwag blasted 757 runs at an average of 58 for Delhi and this resulted in his selection for the South Africa series in 2001. Coming out to bat with India reeling at 68/4 on a green pitch and with overcast conditions in Bloemfontein, Sehwag revealed his state of mind.

He said Tendulkar welcomed him to the crease by saying, "Gudgudi ho rahi hain paet mein? (Are you feeling butterflies in your stomach)" To this, Sehwag responded, "Woh sab chhodo sir, yeh batao kya ho raha hain pitch par (Leave all that, tell me how is the pitch behaving)." Sehwag stated that Tendulkar told him that South Africa's bowlers will try the bouncer and urged him to stay alert.

The advice worked wonders for Sehwag as he smashed 105 on debut which set him on the path for 12 years of international dominance. In his prime moment, Sehwag revealed another interesting conversation with Tendulkar during the Test series against Pakistan in 2004.

In the Multan Test, Sehwag was approaching a landmark which no Indian had come close. During his partnership with Tendulkar, Sehwag said, "After I had my fourth six, Tendulkar came up to me and said 'Mai tere ko bat se marunga agar tune phir six maara toh (I will hit you with the bat if you hit a six again)'. I did not hit a six till I reached 295 and when I reached that score, I told Tendulkar, "Agar Saqlain (Mushtaq) aayega to mai chhakka marunga (If Saqlain comes into the attack, I will hit a six)."

Sehwag lived up to his word and smashed Saqlain over deep midwicket for a six to become India's first triple-centurion in Tests. His confidence bordered on the audacious and he lived up to it plenty of times.

Sehwag's journey has benefited immensely from Ganguly and Tendulkar's inputs. It is thanks to these two legends that the world saw a destructive batsman who was also an entertainer-par-excellence.