Virender Sehwag, who is known as “Viru” in World Cricket was born on 20th October in 1978. Sehwag is renowned as one of the most aggressive batsmen to ever play the game. Sehwag has represented India for 14 years (1999-2013). In 104 test matches, Sehwag has amassed 8586 runs with a fascinating average of 49.34. He has notched up 8273 runs in 251 ODI matches, averaging 35.05. There are some interesting facts about Sehwag that may make people wow. Let’s have a look at some interesting facts about Virender Sehwag.
- Virender Sehwag is called “Nawab of Najafgadh”.
- Sehwag made his first-class debut for Delhi in 1997. He has accumulated 14683 runs in 194 first-class matches. His average in first-class cricket is 47.36. Viru has hit 42 tons in first-class cricket.
- Virender Sehwag made his test debut against South Africa in 2001. He scored 105 runs in the 1st innings of his debut match.
- Sehwag is the only Indian to hit two triple centuries in tests. His first triple century (309) came against Pakistan in 2004 in Multan off 375 balls. He smacked 39 fours and 6 sixes in that innings. He scored his 2nd triple hundred against South Africa in 2008 at Chennai, 319 off 304 balls. His innings was consisted of 42 fours & 5 sixes.
- As Sehwag smashed a triple ton in Multan in 2004, 309 off 375 balls, he has been given the nickname “Sultan of Multan”.
- Virender Sehwag’s 319 against South Africa in 2008 is the highest score by an Indian in the test format and his 319 is the best test score at a strike rate of over 100.
- Viru holds the record of hitting the fastest triple century in the history of test cricket, 300 runs off 278 balls against South Africa in 2008 in Chennai.
- Only four batsmen in the world have smashed 2 triple centuries in their careers, and Sehwag is one of them.
- Virender Sehwag won the “Arjuna Award” in 2002, three years after making his debut for India.
- Sehwag is the 2nd batsman in the world after Sachin Tendulkar to score a double hundred in an ODI match, 219 off 149 balls.
- Viru earned the Polly Umarigar Award for being the International Cricketer of the year.
- Virender Sehwag has got the “Wisden Leading Cricketer of the Year Award” two times in a row in 2008 & 2009.
- In 2010 Sehwag became the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year for his golden form with the bat. He scored 1422 runs in 14 matches (25 innings) with a captivating average of 61.82. His strike rate was 90.80, the highest by any batsman in 2010 in tests.
- Sehwag was conferred the prestigious “Padma Shee” award in 2010 by the contemporary president of India Shrimati Pratibha Patil.
- Virender Sehwag has smashed the 2nd fastest 250 in tests, 250 in 207 balls. The fastest 250 is made by Ben Stokes in 198 balls against South Africa.
- The 42 years old from Delhi, has hit the 2nd most number of fours in a test inning (47), when Sehwag scored 254 runs in Lahore off 247 balls against Pakistan.
- Sehwag is the only player in the world to score triple centuries and take 5 wickets in an innings in tests.
- The destructive opener has scored the highest score by a captain in ODIs, 219 runs against West Indies in 2011 in Indore.
- For India, Sehwag has made the most number of international runs as an opener, 16119 runs.
- Sehwag has hit most test sixes as an Indian in tests (91).
- Viru has scored most 250+ score 4 times in test format.
- He has scored the 2nd fastest ODI hundred by an Indian against New Zealand in 60 balls at Hamilton.
- Sehwag was known for his aggressive batting in international cricket. Sehwag is the only opener in the world to have 7500+ runs in both ODIs and tests.
- Sehwag has played 104 IPL matches and has amassed 2728 runs at a fine strike rate of 155.4.
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