Cricket

On December 26, 2003, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Virender Sehwag etched his name into cricketing history with a blistering 195-run knock against Australia. The match, the third Test of the series, was a crucial one for both teams, with India holding a 1-0 lead.Sehwag, opening the batting with Aakash Chopra, faced a barrage of bouncers from Brett Lee but remained unfazed. His trademark shots, including powerful drives through the covers and flicks through mid-wicket, sent shockwaves through the Australian bowling attack.Reaching his fifty off 78 balls, Sehwag accelerated his innings, reaching his century off 144 deliveries. As he approached his 150, the crowd erupted in anticipation of a maiden double century. However, fate had a different plan.With the score on 195, part-time bowler Simon Katich delivered a juicy full toss on the middle stump. Sehwag, eager to reach the milestone with a six, swung his bat but mistimed it, sending the ball straight to Nathan Bracken at deep mid-wicket.Despite the disappointment of falling short of his double century, Sehwag's innings had been a masterclass in aggressive batting. His 233-ball knock included 5 sixes and 25 fours, leaving an indelible mark on the match and the series.In true Sehwag style, he later stated that he would have played the same shot again, regardless of his score. His fearless approach and unwavering belief in his abilities made him one of the most feared batsmen of his generation.

The Afro-Asia Cup, a series of charity matches between Asian XI and African XI, is set to make a comeback after a decade-long hiatus. The tournament, first played in 2005 and again in 2007, featured legendary players from both continents, including Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Zaheer Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Anil Kumble, Shahid Afridi, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, and Tatenda Taibu.According to a report in Forbes, the Afro-Asia Cup is being revived due to renewed interest from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the African Cricket Association (ACA). Former ACA chair Sumod Damodar expressed his disappointment over the tournament's previous cancellation and emphasized the need for Africa to push for its revival.The return of the Afro-Asia Cup could pave the way for unprecedented collaborations between players from India and Pakistan, who have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13. The tournament could also help bridge political barriers between the two nations, as cricket has the power to unite people.In 2022, a proposal to restart the tournament was discussed between ACC chair Jay Shah, then ACA chair Sumod Damodar, and ACC head of development Mahinda Vallipuram. With Vallipuram's recent re-election to the ICC board, there is renewed optimism that the Afro-Asia Cup will be revived.The tournament's return would not only provide a platform for exciting cricket but also promote unity and understanding between Asia and Africa. It would be a testament to the power of sports to transcend boundaries and bring people together.

Virender Sehwag's transformation from a middle-order batsman to a devastating opener is a pivotal moment in cricket history. The idea to elevate Sehwag to the top of the order originated from an unexpected source: Zaheer Khan.During a conversation with Shoaib Akhtar, Sehwag revealed that Khan had suggested the move to then-captain Sourav Ganguly. The suggestion stemmed from a match in 1999, where Akhtar had dismissed Sehwag at number seven in the batting order."What were you doing at number seven?" Akhtar asked Sehwag. "I used to bat in the middle order at that time," Sehwag replied.Khan's suggestion was met with skepticism initially, but Ganguly was willing to experiment. In July 2001, during a tri-series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, Sehwag was pushed up to open alongside Ganguly due to an injury to Sachin Tendulkar.The move proved to be a masterstroke. Sehwag's aggressive style and ability to score quickly at the top of the order transformed India's batting lineup. He made his Test debut as an opener in 2002 and never looked back.Sehwag went on to become one of the most successful opening batsmen in cricket history. He played 104 Tests and 251 ODIs, scoring 8586 and 8273 runs respectively. He was a key member of India's victorious 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup teams.Sehwag's impact on cricket was profound. His aggressive approach and ability to dominate bowling attacks inspired a generation of batsmen. He retired in 2015, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most entertaining and destructive openers the game has ever seen.

Virender Sehwag's 'This or That' Challenge: Rohit Sharma Emerges as the Chosen OneFormer Indian opener Virender Sehwag recently ignited a firestorm of debate among cricket enthusiasts with his 'this or that' challenge at the Delhi Premier League T20. Sehwag's choices, which pitted current Indian captain Rohit Sharma against cricketing legends, revealed his unwavering belief in Rohit's exceptional talent and leadership abilities.In the challenge, Sehwag first selected MS Dhoni over Ben Stokes, acknowledging his loyalty to his former captain. However, when faced with the choice between Dhoni and AB de Villiers, Sehwag opted for the South African star, citing his unparalleled batting prowess. The challenge continued with Sehwag choosing Virat Kohli over ABD and Pat Cummins, highlighting Kohli's consistency and match-winning capabilities.However, the pivotal moment came when Sehwag was asked to choose between Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Without hesitation, Sehwag declared Rohit as his preferred choice, emphasizing his belief in the current Indian captain's superior leadership qualities and all-around abilities.Sehwag's selection of Rohit over David Warner and Dale Steyn further underlined his conviction in the Indian opener's exceptional talent. Rohit's aggressive yet calculated style of play has revolutionized the Indian team's approach, leading them to numerous victories across all formats.Rohit's leadership was instrumental in India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending an 11-year drought for a major ICC trophy. His consistent performances as an opener have consistently placed him among the world's best, making him a formidable force in international cricket.Sehwag's challenge has sparked lively debates among fans, showcasing a wide range of opinions on his selections. However, it is clear that Rohit Sharma has emerged as a dominant figure in Indian cricket, earning the admiration and respect of both his peers and the cricketing world at large.

Indian Batters' Struggle Against Spin: Sehwag Points Out ReasonsThe Indian cricket team's recent struggles against spin bowling in the ODI series against Sri Lanka have raised concerns about the team's ability to handle quality spin. Former India opener Virender Sehwag has identified several reasons for this failure.One key factor, according to Sehwag, is the proliferation of white-ball cricket. In T20 cricket, bowlers are less likely to flight the ball, which limits their ability to develop the skills necessary to dismiss batsmen. Additionally, Indian players are playing less domestic cricket, where they would face more spin bowling.Sehwag also highlighted the lack of quality spinners in India. "I think there are no quality spinners in India right now whom I see who can fly well and take wickets," he said.In contrast, Sehwag pointed out that during his playing days, Indian batsmen played a significant amount of domestic cricket, which exposed them to a variety of spin bowlers. This experience helped them develop the skills to handle spin effectively.Sehwag's analysis suggests that the Indian team needs to address these issues if they want to improve their performance against spin bowling. This may involve increasing the amount of domestic cricket played by Indian players and developing more quality spinners within the country.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach of the Indian men's cricket team has commenced with a T20I series victory and an ODI series defeat. While Gambhir has much to learn and implement in the coming weeks, his success or failure will ultimately be judged by the team's performance in ICC events.Despite concerns about certain aspects of Gambhir's coaching style, his former opening partner Virender Sehwag believes the challenges lie more with the players than the coach. "The players have won the T20 World Cup, they know their roles. Gambhir's arrival will provide clarity and support," Sehwag said.Sehwag emphasized that the players face greater challenges in executing their roles and delivering results on the field. "Gambhir is there to help them," he added.Gambhir's next assignment is the Test series against Bangladesh at home. While India has never lost a Test match to their neighbors, the recent Pakistan vs Bangladesh series serves as a reminder that the Bangla Tigers should not be underestimated.Gambhir's coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, hard work, and a winning mentality. He has been known to be demanding and expects high standards from his players. However, he also believes in creating a positive and supportive environment.As Gambhir settles into his new role, he will need to find the right balance between discipline and motivation. He will also need to build strong relationships with his players and staff.The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh will provide an early indication of Gambhir's impact on the team. If India can maintain its dominance over its neighbor, it will be a positive sign for the future. However, if Bangladesh can pull off an upset, it will raise questions about Gambhir's coaching abilities.

Dinesh Karthik's All-Time India Playing XI: A Symphony of Cricket LegendsFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has unveiled his dream India playing XI across formats, featuring an illustrious lineup of cricket icons. The team, handpicked by Karthik in a special video for Cricbuzz, showcases the unparalleled talent and dominance that Indian cricket has witnessed over the years.Explosive Openers and Batting StalwartsKarthik's opening pair is a formidable duo: Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma. Sehwag, known for his fearless aggression, and Sharma, a master of elegant strokeplay, provide an explosive start to the innings. At No. 3, the legendary Rahul Dravid brings his unwavering consistency and technical brilliance. The batting lineup reaches its zenith with Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4, a player who redefined batting excellence and holds numerous records.Virat Kohli and All-Rounder VersatilityVirat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of the modern era, slots in at No. 5, adding further firepower to the batting order. For the all-rounder roles, Karthik selects Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja. Singh, a match-winner with both bat and ball, provides explosive batting and crucial wickets. Jadeja, a versatile all-rounder, offers balance with his left-arm spin and lower-order batting contributions.Pace and Spin DominanceThe pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, known for his exceptional pace and accuracy. Alongside him is Zaheer Khan, one of India's most successful left-arm pacers, who brings experience and swing to the bowling lineup.In the spin department, Karthik opts for Ravichandran Ashwin and Anil Kumble. Ashwin, a master of variations, has tormented batters worldwide, while Kumble, a legendary leg-spinner, holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler.Harbhajan Singh as 12th ManKarthik acknowledges the significant contributions of Harbhajan Singh by naming him as the 12th man. Singh, a prolific off-spinner, has played a pivotal role in India's cricketing success.ConclusionDinesh Karthik's all-time India playing XI is a testament to the depth and talent that Indian cricket has produced over the years. The team combines explosive openers, batting stalwarts, versatile all-rounders, and world-class bowlers, creating a formidable force that would challenge any opposition.

Delhi Premier League to Feature International Stars Pant and IshantNew Delhi is set to host its inaugural T20 league, the Delhi Premier League (DPL), starting August 17. The league will feature six men's teams and four women's teams, with international stars Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma expected to take the field.The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) unveiled the league on Tuesday, with former India opener Virender Sehwag as the ambassador. The draft was also conducted, with Pant and Ishant being picked up by Purani Delhi 6. Harshit Rana, currently with the Indian team in Sri Lanka, was selected by North Delhi Strikers.However, the availability of these India players is subject to their national team commitments. "The India players' eventual availability will depend on their commitments to the national team. However, Rishabh has given his consent to be placed in the draft for now," said DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.The DPL joins a growing number of state T20 leagues in India. Sehwag believes such platforms are crucial for the development of young players. "In our younger days, we used to only think of playing for India or Delhi. Now, the young generation wants to play T20. These leagues will help them get noticed," he said.Sehwag emphasized that the younger generation should not neglect longer formats. "This DPL will help you get noticed. But to grow as a player, you will have to play four-day cricket. Like IPL is a basis for selection for Indian team, DPL will also do the same for Delhi team," he added.Jaitley assured that the DDCA's primary focus remains on Delhi's long-format team. He also stated that the league has received BCCI approval after thorough checks and that there will be zero tolerance for any corrupt activities.

Virender Sehwag, the legendary Indian Test opener, has endorsed the idea of youngsters starting their cricket careers with T20 cricket, provided it helps them develop an aggressive mindset that can enhance their Test performances.Speaking at the launch of the inaugural Delhi Premier League (DPL), Sehwag acknowledged the allure and financial benefits of T20 cricket for young players. However, he emphasized that the evolving nature of Test cricket demands an attacking approach."The way England is playing Test cricket, scoring at five runs an over, shows that attacking play is crucial," Sehwag said. "In our time, Australia scored at four runs per over. I believe that if you can attack, you give your team more chances to win Test matches."Sehwag addressed concerns about T20 leagues diverting attention from red-ball cricket, citing his own son's experience. "My son has played three-day cricket for Delhi U16, but there are many boys waiting for that opportunity," he said. "When we were young, there was no IPL. Now, youngsters have the IPL and DPL as platforms."Sehwag believes that aggressive gameplay can benefit Test cricket. "If anyone develops an aggressive game that suits Test cricket, why not? We want people to come and watch Tests," he said.Sehwag's own aggressive style in Test cricket, even before the advent of the IPL, was evident in his triple century scored in just 270 balls. "Today's kids might score 400 if they play that many balls," he quipped.The DPL will feature six teams and notable players such as Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma, and Navdeep Saini. The league has implemented anti-corruption measures and will be aired live on a leading OTT platform with DRS technology.