Virender Sehwag, who is often hailed as the greatest opener for India in the first decade of the new millennium, turns 42 on Tuesday. Sehwag, who is the only Indian in history to hit two triple centuries, is credited for changing the fortunes of the Indian cricket team at the top of the order for his aggressive approach to batting. Sehwag was also termed the 'Nawab of Najafgarh' and in his early days, his shots drew comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar.
Virender Sehwag is hailed as one of the greatest openers in the history of Indian cricket. The right-hander from Delhi is the only Indian who has smashed two triple centuries in the history of Test cricket. He is also the first Indian to smash 300 in a Test match when he achieved the feat against Pakistan in Multan in 2004. In ODIs, Virender Sehwag became the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to score a double century when he smashed 219 against the West Indies in Indore in 2011. In the 2011 World Cup, Virender Sehwag had a habit of dictating the course of the match by smashing a boundary in the very first ball of the innings. With the list of accolades and records that Sehwag holds, it is no wonder that he is being credited for the aggressive approach that is being taken by Indian batsmen at the top of the order.
On Tuesday, Virender Sehwag turned 42 and social media were gracious with their wishes for Viru. Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian cricket team and skipper of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier League, led the tributes by wishing him from their official handles. Kohli tweeted, "Happy birthday @virendersehwag bhai. Have a great day."
Brilliant record
The 42-year-old was also a part of two World Cup-winning squads, led by former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. India clinched the inaugural World T20 in South Africa before lifting the World Cup in 2011 on home turf.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), the all-rounder scored 2,728 runs from 104 games he played for the Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab.
Virender Sehwag's 278-ball 319-run knock against South Africa in Chennai in 2008 is also the fastest triple ton scored in Test cricket.
In the past, Sehwag was also in contention for India's coaching role after Anil Kumble stepped down from the post following the side's Champions Trophy campaign earlier in the year. However, the BCCI handed the job to former team director Ravi Shastri.
In 2016, during the Test series against South Africa, a new gate was inaugurated at the Arun Jaitley Stadium after Virender Sehwag.
After retirement, Sehwag keeps his fans entertained on social media. His tweets are in a unique manner and it inevitably end up going viral. In IPL 2020, he is hosting a show in his own humorous manner and he has not shied away from taking a dig at MS Dhoni's performance and that of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020.
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 "Happy Birthday Virender Sehwag")
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