Virender Sehwag is one of the most dashing players in Indian Cricket. During his initial entry into the cricket he was compared with the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. But things didn’t go smooth for Virender Sehwag in his whole cricket career. There were some ups and many downs in his career. No matter how he performs he always remained favourite for his fans and his fans always love him no matter how he performs. This is truly remarkable to get unconditional love in the game of cricket.

Some Lesser Known Facts/Stories about Virender Sehwag:

#He is the only player who hit the ball consecutively out of the ground three time on the first 3 deliveries itself.

#The only player who plays for the team and not for records. The below is a short story that will describe his nature very well.

This was detailed by Sourav Ganguly himself in a company function, where he was the guest in honour, on being asked how authoritative he was as a captain and how well did other team members payed heed to his commands. So he dictated this incident about the Natwest Trophy 2002 finals where he and Virender Sehwag came out opening. India had to chase 325 to win the match and they had got off to a good start. It was between 10-15 overs done with above 7 an over run rate and no wickets.
Ronnie Irani started one of the overs and Sehwag smashed him to the boundary on the very first ball. This was a copy book classic cricket shot, so no problems. Sourav walked up and patted him for the shot, and advised him to go coolly for the rest of the over since 4 were already scored on the first ball. Sehwag affirmed to his advice.

The next ball, Sehwag swung his bat hard, a little uppish in-the-air shot, again, straight to the boundary hoardings. Sourav again walked to him and asked to be calm and try to take 4 singles to make up 12 off the over without taking any further chances. He reminded him of the need to keep wickets for the moment.

Very next ball, four again, this time a reverse sweep. Too risky. Ganguly just stared into the eyes of Sehwag, and gestured showing his palm to say `Cool Down Man`.

The next ball again he hit another reverse sweep for another boundary. This time he didn’t say anything nor looked at Sehwag.

#Here is Anil Kumble take on Viru

Most people first settle down and then hit a six, but Sehwag first hits a six and then settles down.

#He tackled a major problem by hitting the ball out of the ground to replace it with a new ball.

“I remember reading this in Shane Warne’s description of why he chose Sehwag among his top 50 cricketers. Might not be 100% accurate since it is from memory, but the gist is true.

In an English county match, Abdul Razzak was swinging the old ball very dangerously, and there was a high likelihood of the tail getting bowled out quickly. Sehwag’s strategy was simple – to counter the effect of the reversing ball, he hit it out of the stadium. The ball was lost, and another ball was brought in. Obviously, this one was not worked upon as the previous one was, and didn’t reverse as much. Problem solved!”

#He does what he says and never afraid of getting out. Here is one such story with Sachin Tendulkar

He had hit 4-5 sixes by the time he reached 150. Sachin was on crease at that time . He came and told Viru-” Agar tu chhakka maarega to main tujhe maarunga” (“If you try to hit a six, I will hit you”) as he wanted Sehwag not to get out. Then Viru didn’t hit a single six. Just by the time he was nearing 300, Viru went to Sachin and said, “Ab agar Saqlain Mushtaq bowling karega to main chhakka zaroor maarunga”( If Saqlain comes to bowl now, I will definitely hit a six”). And he delivered as he said. Imagine a batsman hitting a six to complete triple century that too in 2004( 11 years back). #Respect
That’s what Sehwag is.

#Nicknames : Viru, Nawab of Najafgarh, Najafgarh ka Tendulkar, Sultan of Multan

#Fav. food : Kheer is still the favorite food of Sehwag. He says, when he is at home, he likes to eat kheer prepared by his mother.

#During his early days in cricket, he used to drive Chetak Scooter to go to stadium for practice.

#Only Indian Batsman to hit triple century that too twice. first time he hit 300. he hit sixes at every milestones (to reach his 50,100,150,200,250 and 300)

#Only Batsmen in the world cricket to hit boundary of the first ball of the match for 5 times in the worldcup. He did that in 2011 World Cup.

#He is the only player to have taken 5 wickets in an innings and score 300+ score in a test match.

#He holds the record of Fastest triple Century in test matches. He scored 319 off 278 Balls

#His favorite batsman of all time is Sachin Tendulkar, which is a no brainer

#Sehwag holds the record of most runs scored by an Indian in a single day of a Test Match. He scored a dashing 284 in a day against Sri Lanka in 2009.

We wish him a very happy birthday on this occassion and looking forward to see him in many upcoming matches in future.