{"id":198945,"date":"2025-10-14T08:03:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T08:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/198945\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T08:03:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T08:03:22","slug":"virender-sehwag-breaks-silence-on-being-namedropped-alongside-shahid-afridi-by-viv-richards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/198945\/","title":{"rendered":"Virender Sehwag breaks silence on being namedropped alongside Shahid Afridi by Viv Richards"},"content":{"rendered":"

West Indies great Viv Richards and legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag<\/a> were both known for their fearless and attacking cricket. Just a day after Viv Richards praised Virender Sehwag for his incredible contributions to Test cricket, the former India opener showed his respect to the cricketer.<\/p>\n

Both Richards and Sehwag took the game to the bowlers from the very first delivery, but the former Indian opener\u2019s impact in Test cricket was uniquely devastating. The 46-year-old turned every session into a spectacle, leaving bowlers from Australia to South Africa and Pakistan speechless.<\/p>\n

Even today, after his retirement in 2014, the void the West Indies great left at the top of India\u2019s batting order is noticeable, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal showing glimpses of Sehwag\u2019s fearless approach. Sehwag\u2019s numbers prove his legacy as one of the most destructive openers.<\/p>\n

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Virender Sehwag\u2019s fearless style leaves a lasting impact on Viv Richards<\/p>\n

In 104 Test matches, Sehwag scored 8,586 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 82.23, still the highest by any Indian batter in the traditional format of the game. He had also scored India\u2019s first-ever triple century against Pakistan in 2004 and repeated the feat against South Africa in 2008. He came heartbreakingly close to a third triple in 2009, finishing 293 against Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Read Also: Mohammed Siraj issues on-field threat to Justin Greaves as batter terrorizes Indian bowling attack<\/a><\/p>\n

Sehwag\u2019s approach was simple yet brutal: see the ball, hit the ball. He attacked at all times, whether it was the last over before lunch, tea, or stumps; every session was an opportunity to dominate the bowlers. One of Sehwag\u2019s iconic innings came in the 2003 MCG Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.<\/p>\n

His 195-run blitz showcased how he could take control of a match from the very start, forcing bowlers to constantly change their plans; still, they failed to control his devastation. The former Indian opener\u2019s audacious style made him a nightmare for any bowling attack and inspired a generation of aggressive batsmen.<\/p>\n

Viv Richards hails Virender Sehwag as a fearless force who revived Test cricket<\/p>\n

Viv Richards saw a reflection of himself in Sehwag. He admired how Sehwag revived excitement in Test cricket, bringing fans back to the stadiums even when matches seemed one-sided. Sehwag carried forward the tradition of attacking cricket, keeping the format alive with his fearless style.<\/p>\n

He stated, \u201cWhen I watched Sehwag bat, I saw a reflection of myself. I found him even more dangerous than Shahid Afridi<\/a> and Adam Gilchrist<\/a>. Test cricket was fading, but Sehwag revived the format. The kind of excitement he brought to the game is one of the reasons 15,000 to 20,000 fans are turning up even today to watch a weakened West Indies team. That’s Sehwag’s legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read Also: Rajasthan Royals star Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets leadership role as Sanju Samson plans exit<\/a><\/p>\n

Virender Sehwag reacts to Viv Richards\u2019 admiration<\/p>\n

Virender Sehwag felt honored by Viv Richards\u2019 praise and responded with gratitude. He acknowledged Richards\u2019 impact on cricket and said he was just keeping the tradition alive for the next generation. He also emphasized that Test cricket will continue to thrive as long as players enjoy attacking and playing fearlessly.<\/p>\n

Sehwag posted, X: \u201cHumbled, Sir @ivivianrichards. You made bowlers fear batsmen\u2014I just kept the tradition alive for the next generation. Test cricket will never die as long as there’s joy in attacking it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Humbled, Sir @ivivianrichards<\/a> \ud83d\ude4f
You made bowlers fear batsmen \u2014 I just kept the tradition alive for the next generation.
Test cricket will never die as long as there\u2019s joy in attacking it!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 13, 2025<\/a>
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