Ajay Ratra recalls Sachin Tendulkar sacrificing his ODI opening slot for Virender Sehwag

Former wicket-keeper batsman Ajay Ratra has revealed that it was Sachin Tendulkar who had sacrificed his opening slot in ODI cricket for his good friend Virender Sehwag. Sachin had become a regular opener in 50-overs format in 1994 and had made a tremendous impact both personally as well as for Indian team in years to come. 

Viru was promoted as an opener during a 2001 series against New Zealand and he had opened innings with his n skipper Sourav Ganguly (preceding 2003 World Cup) and from 2003 World Cup onwards, it was Sachin and Viru who used to open innings for India in ODI's.

'If Sachin hadn't agreed': Ajay Ratra

“Sachin was doing so well as an opener at that time but Sehwag had to open. So Sachin offered to bat at .4. Sehwag n opened with Dada (Sourav Ganguly) for that left and right combination. If Sachin hadn’t agreed n Viru probably would have had to bat lower. He wouldn’t have got chance to open in ODIs and story could have been a lot different,” said Ajay Ratra while speaking to a news daily.

“Sachin took a different role. He volunteered to bat at .4.He did it for side. His role was n to bat till 45th over. And move worked, Viru became so successful at top,” former wicket-keeper batsman added.

“A lot of times, Viru is called unconventional but if his natural instinct was stopped n it might have been a different story. So Viru had support to go for his shots and had that liberty. It is very important to back se players. Yes, people used to advise him when he used to play bad shots but he was never told to change his game,” he furr added.

 

Virender Sehwag's illustrious cricket career

Sehwag has represented India at highest level in 103 Tests and 251 One Day Internationals from 1999 to 2013. In his successful career, he has mand to score over 8,000 runs in both formats of game i.e. 8,586 Test runs and 8,273 ODI runs. Delhi cricketer was regarded as an explosive opening batsman who had ability to change complexion of game at will. At same time, he was also a handy part-time right-arm spinner as well. 

former vice-captain had been a part of many of India's emphatic triumphs that include 2002 Natwest tri-series in England, ICC Champions Trophy 2002 (India were joint-winners with Sri Lanka), runners up in 2003 World Cup, drawn Test series in Australia during 2003/04 season, historic Test and ODI series wins on Pakistan soil in same season, ICC World T20 2007, tri-series win in Australia (2007/08), World Cup 2011 victory on home soil, etc.

Viru had bid adieu to game in vember 2015 and since n has been a successful commentator as well as a cricket pundit. He was last seen in action during Road Saftey Series earlier this year where he was representing India Legends led by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. event was called off midway due to global pandemic.

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