Virender Sehwag reveals how he agreed to open the batting for India in Tests; watch video

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is highly regarded as one of the most destructive opening batsmen of all time. Apparently, his journey as a regular opener began on a hilarious note, as revealed by the cricketer himself on his social media show Viru ki Baithak. Virender Sehwag turned 42 on Tuesday, October 20. To commemorate all the birthday wishes he received from fans and former teammates, he answered his fan queries a day later on his show. Sachin Tendulkar posts witty wish on 42nd Virender Sehwag birthday The one who only dealt in 4s and 6s while batting turns 42. Even that adds up to 6️⃣. 😋 Tum jiyo hazaron saal aur saal ke din ho 50 hazaar. Janamdin mubarak @virendersehwag. pic.twitter.com/0XoJ9ln2sN — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 20, 2020 Also Read | Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Compare 'unbelievable' Mumbai-Punjab Super Over With WC Final Virender Sehwag reveals he made Sourav Ganguly and John Wright sign a contract During an interactive Q&A session with his fans on social media, Virender Sehwag was asked by a certain user whether he made any “agreement” with Sourav Ganguly when he was asked to open the innings in Test cricket back in 2002. The ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ revealed that during India’s tour of England in 2002, he was asked by his then captain Ganguly to open in Tests for India. Sehwag said that he initially refused his skipper but was later convinced to do so by his team management. Virender Sehwag said that he was asked to open in Tests because of his form in ODI cricket. The cricketer revealed that since his preferred batting position was in the middle order, he asked Sourav Ganguly and then coach John Wright to give him a “written agreement”. The agreement in contention was in regards to his opening stance, i.e. should he fail with the bat in his first few innings, he should get another chance in the middle-order for India before getting dropped from the side altogether. Also Read | Virender Sehwag Reveals Favourite Opening Partner Of All Time And It Is NOT Gautam Gambhir Interestingly, before the hilarious “written agreement” scenario, Virender Sehwag also asked captain Sourav Ganguly to appoint Sachin Tendulkar as Test opener instead. Ganguly told him that while he and Tendulkar themselves preferred to bat in the middle-order as well, he would make the ‘Master Blaster’ open the Indian innings if Sehwag managed to convince the batting icon. The Delhi-based cricketer then agreed to open the innings once he received the “agreement” from his then captain and coach. Also Read | Virender Sehwag age 42: Cricketer Smashes Pak Bowlers In Special ICC Tribute On 42nd Birthday A look into Virender Sehwag stats in international cricket The Virender Sehwag stats in international cricket composes of some staggering numbers. Ever since he made his international debut back in 1999, he represented the national side in 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20Is till his final appearance in 2013. He scored over 17,000 international runs across all formats, with most of those runs coming at the top of the order while facing the new ball. Virender Sehwag was also part of the Indian side that lifted the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 Cricket World Cup. ICC wishes on 42nd Virender Sehwag birthday 🧢 104 Tests, 251 ODIs, 19 T20Is 🏏 17,253 international runs 🙌 First 🇮🇳 batsman to score a triple hundred in Tests 🏆 2011 @cricketworldcup champion Happy birthday to @virendersehwag! pic.twitter.com/ryP383rqpk — ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2020 Also Read | Virender Sehwag Confidently Claims There Will Never Be Another Batsman Like Him: Watch Image source: PTI

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Virender Sehwag reveals how he agreed to open the batting for India in Tests; watch video

Virender Sehwag reveals the hilarious reason why he agreed to open the innings for India in Test cricket upon being asked to do so by Sourav Ganguly.

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