Published: Jan 13, 2020, 12:46 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 13, 2020, 12:46 AM (IST)
Known for his flamboyant and swashbuckling style of play, former opener Virender Sehwag revealed that former India skipper Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, whose advice changed the way he approached Test cricket. Despite being known for his white-ball cricket exploits, Sehwag carved a niche for himself in Tests where he averaged close to 50 and scored 23 tons for the national side.
“I did not want to let go of the opportunity to deliver the Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture as I have a personal relation with him,” Sehwag, who was one of most destructive openers in world cricket, said in his inimitable style while delivering the seventh Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Lecture at the BCCI Awards in Mumbai.
“I had watched his batting videos but had never spoken to him. I usually do not take anybody’s advice. But Tiger Pataudi sir gave me an advice which changed the way I played Test cricket. I am ever so grateful to him for the advice,” revealed Sehwag.
“One of my last interactions with him was about Delhi cricket, when Arun Jaitley ji called us to his home to help restructure and revive and streamline Delhi cricket,” he added.
On BCCI President and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, Sehwag said he is always the “boss”.
“Sourav Ganguly is the boss. He was the boss of the Indian cricket team and made me open the batting. And now he is the boss of BCCI,” he said.
Sehwag also wished the Priyam Garg-led India U-19 team for their World Cup campaign in South Africa.
He also hoped Virat Kohli lifts the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
“I hope Virat lifts the T20 World Cup in Australia… but do remember Test cricket in your thoughts as well. It needs your best wishes to remain to the ‘pink’ of it’s health,” said Sehwag, who has played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20s for India and was known to find the fence with ease, tormenting bowlers across the globe during his time.
