Cricket

Amidst Abhishek Sharma's inconsistent start to his T20I career, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has advocated for the team management to grant the young opener a free role. Despite scoring a century in just his second T20I match, Abhishek's recent performances have raised concerns. In nine T20I innings, he has managed only 166 runs at an underwhelming average of 20.75.Uthappa believes that the team should emulate the approach taken with Virender Sehwag in the early 2000s, where he was given the freedom to express himself. "I won't look for too much consistency with someone like him. I would like to leave him as free as possible, like a Virender Sehwag perhaps in the early 2000s, where people were like 'just go and enjoy yourself'," Uthappa told Jio Cinema.Uthappa emphasized that he is not overly concerned about Abhishek's consistency, as the team has assigned him a specific role of attacking the bowlers from the outset. "Because if it comes, it's a match-winning hundred or 80, if he gets a quick start, he is still serving the purpose towards the team. So the role is defined. I wouldn't worry too much about consistency when it comes to Abhishek," he added.Abhishek's breakthrough season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year caught the attention of the selectors. He scored 484 runs in 16 matches at an average of 32.26, helping SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) reach the final.Meanwhile, Sanju Samson's second consecutive T20I century powered India to a 61-run victory in the first of four matches against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday. Opening batter Samson struck 10 sixes and seven fours in a spectacular innings of 107 off 50 balls, contributing to India's total of 202-8.Leg-spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi combined to take six wickets as South Africa crumbled to 141 all out.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has lifted the lid on the internal turmoil that plagued the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) franchise during his tenure from 2014 to 2017. In his recently released book, Maxwell reveals the power struggle between himself and then-mentor Virender Sehwag, which ultimately led to his departure from the team.Maxwell's arrival in Punjab coincided with a successful 2014 season, where he amassed 552 runs at a strike rate of over 187. However, his fortunes took a downturn in 2017, and his role within the team came under scrutiny. The appointment of Sehwag as mentor marked a shift in power dynamics, with Sehwag asserting his authority over team selection and other decisions.Maxwell's frustration grew as Sehwag's decisions often seemed illogical. In one instance, Sehwag excluded Maxwell from a WhatsApp group used for team selection. Maxwell's public criticism of Sehwag further strained their relationship, leading to a public outburst from Sehwag after a poor performance against Pune.Maxwell was removed from the main WhatsApp group and publicly criticized by Sehwag, who blamed him for the team's failures. Maxwell responded by expressing his disappointment and stating that he had lost respect for Sehwag. The rift between the two deepened, and Maxwell ultimately informed the owners that he would not continue with the team if Sehwag remained.Sehwag's tenure at Punjab lasted only one more season, while Maxwell moved on to other franchises. In his book, Maxwell reflects on the challenges he faced during his time at Punjab and the lessons he learned from the experience.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has advised Pakistan's Babar Azam to prioritize domestic cricket and focus on improving his fitness and mental resilience. Sehwag's comments come after Azam's recent struggles in international cricket, which culminated in his omission from the final two Tests against England.Despite facing criticism, Azam displayed resilience in the second Test, scoring a gritty 118 against a formidable English bowling attack. However, Sehwag believes that Azam needs to address his mental and physical well-being."Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player," Sehwag said.Sehwag emphasized that Azam's mental state has been significantly affected by the pressure and expectations placed upon him. "With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He's a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly," he added.While Azam's absence from the Test team raised eyebrows, Pakistan's spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved their worth, taking all 20 wickets in the second Test. Sajid's 7/111 in the first innings and Noman's 8/46 in the second innings played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 125-run victory, leveling the series at 1-1.The series decider will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24, with both teams aiming to secure a series victory.

Virender Sehwag, the Indian Batting Legend, Celebrates 46th BirthdayIndian cricket legend Virender Sehwag turned 46 on Sunday, prompting an outpouring of birthday wishes from the cricket fraternity on social media.Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag's former teammate and fellow batting icon, humorously noted that Sehwag's age of 46 is a "perfect mix of four and six," mirroring his explosive batting style.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended its birthday greetings, highlighting Sehwag's remarkable achievements, including his 8,586 Test runs and 8,273 ODI runs.Yuvraj Singh, Sehwag's long-time teammate and World Cup-winning all-rounder, playfully remarked that Sehwag is the reason bowlers' economy rates are ruined.Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, who played a pivotal role in Sehwag's development as a batter, wished his "younger brother" a happy birthday.Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner, expressed his admiration for Sehwag's "blazing centuries," which will forever be etched in the memories of cricket fans.Suresh Raina, the former middle-order batter, thanked Sehwag for inspiring generations with his "fearless cricket."Sehwag's illustrious career spanned 104 Test matches, 251 ODIs, and 19 T20Is. He holds the record for the fastest Test triple century, reaching 300 off just 278 balls. He is also the only Indian to have scored two Test triple hundreds.Sehwag's aggressive batting style and ability to dominate bowlers made him one of the most feared batsmen of his era. He retired from all forms of international cricket in October 2015, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances.

Rohit Sharma, India's prolific opening batsman, stands on the cusp of a remarkable milestone as he prepares to face New Zealand in the first Test match in Bengaluru. With 87 sixes to his name in Test cricket, Rohit is just three shy of surpassing Virender Sehwag's record of 90 sixes for India in the longest format of the game.Rohit's explosive batting has been a cornerstone of India's success in recent years. His ability to clear the boundary with ease has made him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he manages to surpass Sehwag's record, it will be a testament to his exceptional power-hitting prowess.Beyond his individual achievements, Rohit is also focused on building a strong and reliable bench strength for India's fast-bowling department. As the team prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, Rohit has emphasized the importance of having a pool of eight or nine fast bowlers who can step into the playing XI at any moment."We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow, if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried or too heavily reliant on a few individuals," Rohit said. "That's not the right thing to do."Rohit's goal is to ensure that there are enough ready replacements, especially in the event of injuries, to keep the team competitive and prepared. "We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role," he said."It's not about three or four options. We want to try and do that like, you know, when it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."With Rohit Sharma leading the charge, India is poised to make a strong statement in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. His pursuit of Sehwag's record and his focus on building a deep bench strength are clear indications of his commitment to the team's long-term success.

Aaryavir Sehwag Makes Impressive Debut for Delhi in Vinoo Mankad TrophyAaryavir Sehwag, the son of legendary Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, has made a promising debut for Delhi in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, an U-19 one-day tournament. Playing against Manipur in Pondicherry, Aaryavir showcased his batting prowess, scoring a notable 49-run knock that helped Delhi secure a comfortable six-wicket victory.Chasing a target of 169, Aaryavir opened the innings for Delhi and provided a solid start. He played with maturity and composure, hitting six fours and a six during his 64-ball stay at the crease. Aaryavir missed out on a well-deserved half-century but played a crucial role in setting the foundation for Delhi's successful chase.Aaryavir's innings was particularly impressive considering that he had missed out on a century in the trial game, where he had smashed 183 runs off 136 balls for the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). His performance in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy suggests that he is a talented batsman with the potential to follow in his father's footsteps.Aaryavir's knock was complemented by a quick-fire 75 off 45 balls from skipper Pranav Pant, who remained unbeaten. The duo stitched together a 61-run partnership for the third wicket, which helped Delhi accelerate the chase.Delhi eventually reached the target with ease, securing a six-wicket victory. Aaryavir's impressive debut has raised expectations for his future in cricket. As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, he has the potential to become a valuable asset for Delhi and the Indian cricket team.

Virender Sehwag's iconic "Sultan of Multan" innings, a triple century scored in the 2004 Test match against Pakistan, remains etched in the annals of Indian cricket history. This monumental knock not only showcased Sehwag's aggressive batting style but also highlighted his camaraderie with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.Sehwag's 309-run masterpiece, achieved in just 364 balls, made him the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket. His blistering innings featured a 336-run partnership with Tendulkar, who played a crucial role in Sehwag's success.In a recent viral video, Sehwag shared an amusing anecdote from his partnership with Tendulkar. After hitting a six off Saqlain Mushtaq, Tendulkar jokingly warned Sehwag against hitting another six, saying, "If you hit another six, I'll pull your bat away."Undeterred, Sehwag reached 295 and declared his intention to hit a six off Mushtaq's first ball. Tendulkar, initially hesitant, eventually gave his blessing. Sehwag stepped out and dispatched Mushtaq for a six, reaching the historic milestone of 300 runs.Sehwag's knock helped India post a massive 675/5 declared in the first innings, leading to an innings and 52-run victory. His fearless batting against a formidable Pakistani bowling attack, including Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, and Saqlain Mushtaq, cemented his status as one of India's greatest batsmen.Beyond their on-field exploits, Tendulkar and Sehwag shared a close friendship. Despite their contrasting personalities, their mutual respect and camaraderie created a unique partnership that benefited the Indian team for many years.Their bond extended off the field as well, with Sehwag often sharing humorous anecdotes about his time with Tendulkar. Their friendship stands as a testament to the spirit of Indian cricket during their playing days and continues to be celebrated even after their retirement.

Rohit Sharma's Childhood Hero Worship: Skipping Class to Meet Virender SehwagRohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, has always been vocal about his admiration for Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener known for his aggressive and fearless batting style. One of the most memorable stories from Rohit's early cricketing days is when he skipped class to meet his batting idol.As a teenager with dreams of becoming a cricketer, Rohit was inspired by Sehwag's explosive starts and ability to dismantle even the best bowlers. When he found out that Sehwag was in town, he couldn't resist the opportunity to meet him. Determined to make it happen, Rohit bunked his class and headed to the stadium where Sehwag was training.Sneaking out of school, Rohit managed to get close enough to catch a glimpse of his hero. He was fortunate enough to also get an autograph from Sehwag, making the experience even more special. Years later, Rohit and Sehwag would share the Indian dressing room, where Rohit not only fulfilled his dream of meeting his idol but also played alongside him in international cricket.This story captures Rohit's early passion for the game and how a childhood hero can inspire a future legend. It highlights the importance of role models in shaping the next generation of cricketers. Rohit's admiration for Sehwag not only motivated him to pursue his cricketing dreams but also influenced his own aggressive batting style.

Virender Sehwag, the swashbuckling Indian opener, is a legend in the cricketing world. Known for his fearless batting style, Sehwag has amassed over 8,000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket. His aggressive approach has left an indelible mark on the game, with even the greatest bowlers fearing his wrath.Sehwag's aura was such that he could sing Hindi songs while smashing bowlers for boundaries. The likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, and Dale Steyn, all ace pacers, were not spared. Even the slightest loose ball from these bowling giants was dispatched to the boundary with disdain.Sehwag's journey to becoming an opener was not a straightforward one. Initially, he started as a middle-order batsman, but his explosive batting earned him the role of opener. He went on to open India's batting in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, setting the tone of the tournament with a brilliant 175 in his first innings.Sehwag shares the record for the most triple centuries in Test cricket. During a Test match against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, he had the chance to make history as the first batsman to score three triple centuries. On the first day of the match, Sehwag scored 284 runs, making it the third-highest score by a batsman in a single day of a Test match.Facing tough bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan, Sehwag remained in control. Towards the end of the day, with only 3-4 overs left, his batting partner Rahul Dravid advised him to play out the day. Dravid suggested that Sehwag imagine batting through the remaining overs without losing his wicket and then coming back the next day to possibly make 300, 400, or even 500 runs.Sehwag recalled in an interview that Dravid carefully played out the overs, taking a single only when the over was about to end so that Sehwag would face fewer balls. When the day ended, and both batters remained not out as they returned to the dressing room, Dravid told him, 'Well done, bohot badhiya. Ab kal dekh tu wapas aaega toh pura din batting karega toh tu world record bana sakta hai.'Sehwag admitted that Dravid's words filled him with optimism. He went to his room, had dinner, and slept soundly. However, the next day, he managed to add only 9 more runs before being dismissed for 293. Sehwag later admitted that as he walked back to the dressing room, he regretted listening to Rahul Dravid.Sehwag had scored 293 runs off 254 balls, with 40 fours and 7 sixes. In the end, the world's leading wicket-taker, Muralitharan, dismissed Sehwag with a caught-and-bowled effort. MS Dhoni went on to score a century in that match, and India posted a massive total of 726 for 9 before declaring. India went on to win the match by an innings and 24 runs.