The entire cricketing world knows about a fact that Virender Sehwag is a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar.  When Sachin Tendulkar completed 20 years of international cricket of 15th November 2009, Vierender Sehwag said that the reason he took a liking towards cricket was because of watching his idol Sachin play  and he used to swtich off the television set when Sachin get out.  Sehwag also said that once the game is over, Sehwag would try to duplicate Sachins  strokes while practising.

Sehwag prior to his playing days even dreamt of playing with Sachin but at the same time was also scared whether he would be accepted by Sachin if he made it to the Indian team.  Not only Sehwags dream of meeting Sachin and playing in the same team as of Sachin came true but also had the privilege of completing two of his major cricketing milestones with Sachin at the other end.

Century on debut against South Africa in South Africa on 3rd Novmeber 2001:- Sehwag made his debut in Test Matches for India against South Africa.  He came to the crease at 68 for 4 wickets after South African pacemen had ripped through the Indian top order as the South African quicks were bowling at speeds in excess of 150 kilometre per hour. Sehwag joined his idol Sachin at the crease who was playing a brilliant counter attacking innings hitting boundaries and will off the South African quicks.  Sachin Tendulkar scored a brilliant 155 of a mere 184 deliveries which was astonishing considering the pace at which South Africans bowled on that day.  Sehwag under guidance from his idol Sachin went on to score a century on debut.  Sehwag went on to score 105 runs of 173 deliveries in his debut innings in Test Matches.  Sehwag had the fortune of being involved in a rollicking partnership which yielded 220 runs at an astonishing rate of 4.64 runs per over.

Triple Century  against Pakistan on 28th March 2004:- Virender Sehwag became the first ever Indian player to score a triple century when he scored 309 runs of 375 delivers against Pakistan.  Sehwag was batting on 200 plus when India were approaching the end of first days play. His idol Sachin Tendulkar seeing that Sehwag was in a hurry to reach the 300 mark on the same day, kept Sehwag off strike during the last session as  Sachin took the strike for most part of the last session to ensure that Sehwag is fresh and energized on the next day to complete his triple century.  Sachin even refused easy singles to ensure Sehwag is off strike.. Sachins own strike rate suffered while playing out too many dot balls to protect his junior partner and fan.   Sehwag finished the day on 228 and comfortably reached the milestone the next day.  Sehwag was constantly guided by Sachin during his mamooth 336 run partnership with the master.  The runs too came fast at a rate of 4 per over with Sachin himself making an unbeaten 194 of 348 deliveries.  Sehwag had another dream of having Sachin score a double hundred in the same match to complement his own triple century.  Thanks to Dravids dubious declaration that never happened.

Virender Sehwag who is one of the biggest match winners ever in the history of Test matches must consider himself very fortunate to have his dreams come true and also to have his idol with him during the most memorable moments of his career.

Regards

Satish

• Written by N R SATISH.
• In category Cricket.
• 14 years ago.

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