Indian men’s T20 cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav.
| Photo Credit: PTI

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Though a debate over better players across eras remains a difficult one to justify, former India opening batter Virender Sehwag picked Virat Kohli as the No. 1 batter in ODI cricket history, ahead of his long-term teammate Sachin Tendulkar. Despite the fact that many reckon Tendulkar as the ‘God’ of cricket, a player who defined an era of cricket with his batting brilliance, Sehwag could only give him the No. 2 spot on his list. But, the former attacking opening batter did explain why he picked Virat over Sachin.

In a chat on Cricbuzz, Sehwag picked his top 5 batters in ODI cricket history. The list began with the legendary West Indies batter Chris Gayle, who was given the No. 5 spot. Gayle has a whopping 10480 runs to his name in the format in 304 appearances.

“Chris Gayle was a great batsman and opener. I remember India came to the West Indies in 2002-03, and Chris Gayle hit three centuries in a six-match series. He was the first player I saw at the international level who used to hit sixes from the back foot to fast bowlers,” he said.

The No. 4 spot was given to AB de Villiers, former South Africa captain, who aggregated 9577 runs in 228 ODIs over the course of his career. He was followed by ex Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq who scored 11739 runs in 350 innings.

“No. 4 is AB de Villiers. I really liked the way he used to play. He’s the only batsman who can hit sixes off-balance. No. 3 is Inzamam-ul-Haq. He’s one of the best ODI players from Asia. Inzamam used to come out to bat at No. 4 and used to control the match. So, I learned from him how to take the match to the end. How you can control the match. At that time, it was very difficult to chase seven or eight runs in an over. But Inzamam used to do it with a smile. Because he used to calculate when and who to hit sixes,” Sehwag added.

While there’s no denying the camaraderie that Sehwag has with Tendulkar, he still preferred to pick Kohli over the ‘God’ on the list.

“Everyone’s favourite and my role model, Sachin Tendulkar. You know how it feels to walk on the ground with him? You’re going to the jungle with a lion. Everyone’s eyes are on the lion. And I used to quietly make my runs,” said Sehwag on Tendulkar.

Sehwag firmly believes it is quite difficult that the cricket world will be able to see a player with as much consistency as Kohli in ODI cricket.

“Virat Kohli is at number one. Virat Kohli jaisa khiladi shayad he aane wale samay mein aisa consistent player aaye jisko ek tag diya gaya hai-Chasemaster. In the beginning, he wasn’t the Virat Kohli who he is today. He also took his time and learned a lot. And after 2011-12, he has changed a lot. In his fitness and in his consistency. He has played amazing innings,” Sehwag concluded.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the ninth edition of the tournament, having first been held in 1998 as the ‘ICC KnockOut Trophy’. Over the years, the tournament has been won by seven nations, ensuring countless incredible moments on the field. With the Champions Trophy set to return in Pakistan and the UAE, we take a look back at five of the most iconic moments from past editions of the tournament, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Virender Sehwag wins it with the ball

Star batter Virender Sehwag turned the game with his off-spin as India qualified for the final of the 2002 edition with an exciting triumph over South Africa in Colombo.

Sehwag had already contributed a splendid half-century as India posted a competitive total of 261/9 at R Premadasa Stadium, but the Proteas appeared in control during the run chase as they took the score to 200 with seven wickets still in hand and nine overs still remaining.

Enter Sehwag, who took the key wickets of Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener to seal an enthralling victory for India and book their place in the final against Sri Lanka.

West Indies’ heroic victory

Things looked bleak for the West Indies when key batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed and the Caribbean side still required 81 runs for victory with just two wickets in hand against England in the 2004 title decider at The Oval in London, but an incredible ninth-wicket partnership between Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw paved the way for a remarkable run chase.

Browne and Bradshaw put on an unbeaten 71 as the West Indies successfully chased down England’s decent total of 217 with seven deliveries remaining as the Caribbean side claimed their inaugural title.

England stun South Africa at home

England had a day out in this high-scoring encounter at Centurion in 2009 as they booked their place in the knockout stages with an eye-catching triumph over the host nation South Africa.

Owais Shah was the hero with the bat as he smashed six sixes in an innings of 98, while pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up three wickets apiece in reply as the Proteas fell agonisingly short in reply.

Graeme Smith played a lone hand for South Africa with a brilliant 141, but that wasn’t enough as England progressed to the semi-finals with plenty of momentum.

Lasith Malinga stars in low-scoring thriller 

Low-scoring contests can often lead to climatic finishes and that was certainly the case in Cardiff in 2013 as New Zealand pulled off a remarkable one-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka.

Not many would have expected Sri Lanka’s low total of 138 to be competitive, but pacer Lasith Malinga had other ideas as he ripped through the Black Caps’ middle-order to reduce New Zealand to 122/8 in reply.

It was left to Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan to guide the Kiwis over the line, but not before Sri Lanka had threatened to produce a massive upset.

It was a memorable day at The Oval in London as Pakistan clinched their first Champions Trophy title with an emphatic victory over arch-rival India.

Fakhar Zaman leads Pakistan to victory over India

Opener Fakhar Zaman set the ball rolling with a superb century as Pakistan put 338/4 on the board and an inspired bowling performance from Mohammad Amir ensured that score was more than enough.

Fakhar was initially dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, but a no-ball by India’s pace spearhead came back to haunt him as Fakhar took full advantage of his lifeline.

Amir tore through the heart of India’s top-order by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession and India could never recover as they were bundled out for just 158 in reply.

Sourav Ganguly (right) in action against Shoaib Akhtar.© AFP

MS Dhoni‘s tenure as Indian cricket team captain was one of the most successful phases of side. From the 2007 T20 World Cup to the 2011 ODI World Cup to 2013 Champions Trophy, under MS Dhoni The Indian cricket team reached new heights. However, some players did not flourish during that period for various reasons. Manoj Tiwary is one of the players. From February 2008 till July 2015, Tiwary played 12 ODIs and three T20Is. After a hugely successful 2006-07 Ranji Trophy season, Tiwary got a national team call-up. 

However, in the first few matches that Tiwary played his spot in the batting line-up was constantly changed. However, one player who stood by him during that period was Virender Sehwag. 

“He [Sehwag] is my idol. I will be indebted to him till my last breath. Because if he didn’t drop himself, my life would have been different. When Virender Sehwag, [Gautam ] Gambhir bhai and I had good relations, and I was part of the team for 7 years in and out, Viru bhai saw that I wasn’t getting chances or being shuffled up and down. Sometimes, I would suddenly be made to open in the West Indies, then then bat at 5; he observed that I suffered injustice,” Tiwary said on Lallantop.

“The series in which he scored a double hundred (in Indore). He rested himself and told Gambhir that we have to make him play and bat at No. 4. In the bus, Viru bhai asked me, where do you want to bat. I said I just want to bat for the country. When he insisted, I told him, I’ve always batted at No. 4. So then he conveyed it to him [Gambhir].

“And look how things turned out. As I always believe it luck, in the first three balls, India lost two wickets – Ajinkya Rahane and Parthiv Patel (in an ODI vs West Indies in Chennai in 2011). When I went in there, I had a blank mind. When that happens, more often than not, good things happen. This was written in my stars – to score a hundred. So when I scored the century and collected the Player of the Match award, I felt that I belong in international cricket. He [Sehwag] was very happy. I had cramp.”

He also said that despite other players also not doing well, it was he who got dropped during MS Dhoni’s tenure as captain. 

“He was the captain. Team India runs according to the planning of the skipper. In state teams, things are different but in Team India its all about the captain. If you see, during Kapil Dev‘s time it was he who ran the show, during Sunil Gavaskar‘s tenure it was his call, same was during Mohammad Azharuddin‘s tenure. After that Dada and so on. This will go on unless a strict administrator comes and makes a set rule,” Manoj Tiwary told Lallantop. 

“You see Ajit Agarkar (current BCCI chief selector) and you feel he can take strong decisions. He can disagree with the coach. As far as me being dropped for 14 matches after scoring a century, if a player is dropped after scoring a century, obviously I want to know the answer. After century I was praised, but post that I did not have any inkling. At that time, youngsters used to feel afraid, including me. If you ask something, who knows what way it could have been taken. Career is on the line.

“The players who were in the team then were Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma. After that the Tour which took place, they were not making runs. And here I was, even after making a century and winning Player of the Match, could not find a place in playing XI. I was dropped for 14 matches, which took place in a space of six months. At that time the dropped player did not get enough practice. I wanted to retire but due to family responsibility could not.” 

Virender Sehwag, one of the most prolific openers in Indian cricket ever, is in news. Social media was abuzz on Thursday regarding the retired cricketer, who has two triple centuries in Tests, after a report made a big claim on his and wife Aarti’s personal lives. Virender Sehwag, who played 104 Tests and 251 ODIs, married Aarti in December, 2004. The couple has two sons Aryavir, born in 2007, and Vedant, born in 2010. However, according to the report all may not be well between the couple. 

Sehwag and Aarti, according to the report in Hindustan Times, have been living separately for months. It further mentioned that divorce is likely on the cards. There has been no reaction from either parties regarding the news. As and when, the couple reacts, this copy will be updated. 

Social media went on over-drive after the news came. Virender Sehwag has not posted any photo with wife Aarti in recent times, though his profile does have the couple’s old photos of the couple. The former cricketer is not following Aarti, whose Instagram profile is private.

Recently, Sehwag took to social media to remind his son of a missed opportunity to be gifted a Ferrari car. Sehwag’s son Aaryavir – true to his genes – slammed a sensational 297 in just 309 balls for Delhi against Meghalaya in the Cooch Behar Trophy. However, the score of 297 meant that Aaryavir had fallen short of Sehwag’s career highest score of 319 by just 23 runs. It allowed Sehwag to remind his son of an old promise.

“Well played Aaryavir. Missed a Ferrari by 23 runs. But well done, keep the fire alive and may you score many more daddy hundreds and doubles and triples,” posted Sehwag on X in November 2024.

Sehwag’s post goes back to something he said nearly a decade ago, in 2015. Then, in an interview with Harsha Bhogle, Sehwag had promised that he would gift his sons Aaryavir and Vedant a Ferrari if they ever managed to cross his best score of 319.

Image for representative use© AFP

Aaryavir Sehwag, son of former India batter Virender Sehwag, hogged all the limelights on Thursday after he smashed a double century for Delhi on Day 1 of their Cooch Behar Trophy match against Meghalaya. The 17-year-old Aaryavir smashed an unbeaten 200 as Delhi took a 208-run lead at the MCA Cricket Ground in Shillong. For the record, Cooch Behar Trophy is a four-day cricket tournament organished by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the Under 19 players.

After opting to bat, hosts Meghalaya managed just 260 runs in the 1st innings. In reply, Aaryavir and Arnav S Bugga stitched 180 runs for the 1st wicket, laying the foundation of Delhi’s strong response.

Bugga scored a century before his dismissal on Day 2, but Aaryavir carried his bat to the dressing room at the end of the day’s play. He was unbeaten on 200 off just 229 balls.

Apart from Aaryavir, Dhanya Nakra was also unbeaten on 98, scored from 91 balls.

AARYAVIR SCORED DOUBLE HUNDRED

– Virender Sehwag’s son Aaryavir scored Double Hundred in the Cooch Behar Trophy, he smashed 200*(229) with 34 fours and 2 sixes.

– JUNIOR SEHWAG IS COMING…!!!! @virendersehwag pic.twitter.com/pwecBY8UHD

— Poriyalan prabhakaran (@PoriyalanP) November 21, 2024

AARYAVIR SCORED DOUBLE HUNDRED

– Virender Sehwag’s son Aaryavir scored Double Hundred in the Cooch Behar Trophy, he smashed 200*(229) with 34 fours and 2 sixes.

– JUNIOR SEHWAG IS COMING…!!!! @virendersehwag pic.twitter.com/j6wqybwjdZ

— Kagiso Rabada (@KagisoJii) November 21, 2024

AARYAVIR SCORED DOUBLE HUNDRED

– Virender Sehwag’s son Aaryavir scored Double Hundred in the Cooch Behar Trophy, he smashed 200*(229) with 34 fours and 2 sixes.

– JUNIOR SEHWAG IS COMING…!!!! pic.twitter.com/WZk4nKZNrC

— (@Imsandipkumar18) November 21, 2024

AARYAVIR SEHWAG SCORED DOUBLE HUNDRED

– Virender Sehwag’s son Aaryavir scored Double Hundred in the Cooch Behar Trophy, he smashed 200*(229) with 34 fours and 2 sixes.

– JUNIOR SEHWAG IS COMING…!! pic.twitter.com/JsYcnYpqHT

— Gajanan Joshi (@Gajananjoshi29) November 21, 2024

Earlier this year, Aaryavir made his U-19 debut for Delhi against Manipur in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. He announced himself with a well-made 49 as Delhi won the match by 49 runs.

Last year, Sehwag revealed that his son Aaryavir has already set his sights on an IPL contract.

“My son is 15 years old and is already working hard to get a chance to play in the IPL. The IPL has benefited young talent the most. Earlier, nobody got noticed from Ranji Trophy performances and hence couldn’t make it to the Indian team. But now, if you perform well in the IPL and you showcase your talent, then immediately, you get an opportunity to play for the Indian team. Because of the IPL, so many children from smaller states of the country have started taking cricket seriously and try their best to participate in the IPL and strive hard for it,” Sehwag told Star Sports.

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag took a dig at Pakistan batter Babar Azam’s recent performance in international cricket and asked him to work on his fitness. Ahead of the second Test match against England in Multan, Pakistan’s selection committee took everyone by surprise after dropping the former Pakistan captain Babar Azam from the final two long-format matches of the series against the Three Lions. Kamran Ghulam was handed his maiden Test cap and placed to fill Babar’s position as Pakistan hunted to level down the series. The batting all-rounder was at the receiving end of criticism from some sections of fans before and during the Test.

Despite a tough time, the 29-year-old showed grit and resilience against a fierce English bowling line-up to keep Pakistan in the thick of the action. With an array of shots, he kept the opposition on their toes and smashed 118 off 124 deliveries.

Speaking on Shoaib Akhtar’s official YouTube channel, Sehwag said that Babar should take part in domestic cricket now and then make a comeback in international cricket as a mentally stronger player.

“Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player,” Sehwag said.

The former India cricketer added that the former Pakistan skipper has been more impacted mentally. The 46-year-old also asked Babar to be mentally strong.

“With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He’s a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly,” he added.

While Ghulam’s knock set the tone of the Test for Pakistan, it was Noman Ali and Sajid Khan who dictated the outcome with their spin prowess.

The duo took all 20 wickets in the second Test, leaving England completely baffled in the process. While Sajid starred with his figures of 7/111 in the first innings, the plaudits belonged to Noman in the second innings for his splendid effort of 8/46.

With a 125-run victory, Pakistan levelled the series at 1-1, taking the series decider to Rawalpindi, beginning on October 24.

The Indian cricket fraternity on Sunday took to social media to extend birthday wishes to Indian batting legend Virender Sehwag, who turned 46 on Sunday. Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar took to X, funnily saying that his age of 46 is a “perfect mix of four and six”, just like Sehwag’s explosive batting. “Happy 46th,Viru! 46 ka matlab hai 4 aur 6 ka perfect mix–bilkul tumhari batting ki tarah. Koi bhagne ki zarurat nahi. Tumhara saal bhi tumhare shots ki tarah dhamakedaar ho!,” posted Sachin.

Happy 46th, Viru! 46 ka matlab hai 4 aur 6 ka perfect mix—bilkul tumhari batting ki tarah. Koi bhagne ki zarurat nahi ????.

Tumhara saal bhi tumhare shots ki tarah dhamakedaar ho! pic.twitter.com/syzvj8l33y

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 20, 2024

The official X handle of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wished the legendary batter a very happy birthday, listing his accomplishments.

374 intl. matches ????

17,253 intl. runs ????

Only #TeamIndia cricketer with two Test triple tons ????

Here’s wishing the 2008 World T20 & 2011 World Cup-winner, @virendersehwag, a very Happy Birthday! ???????? pic.twitter.com/VeHGjFH5Qf

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2024

Sehwag’s long-time teammate and World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also extended his wishes to the batter, saying that it is because of him that the economy rate of bowlers gets ruined.

“Wishing a very Happy Birthday to the nawab jiska koi jawaab nahi aur jiski vajah se bowlers ki economy ka hisaab nahi! Loads of love brother, hope you have a smashing year @virendersehwag,” posted Yuvraj.

Wishing a very Happy Birthday ???? to the nawab jiska koi jawaab nahi aur jiski vajah se bowlers ki economy ka hisaab nahi!

Loads of love brother, hope you have a smashing year ???? @virendersehwag pic.twitter.com/FYUxSSoA33

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 20, 2024

Former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly, one of Sehwag’s biggest supporters during his days coming up as a batter, also posted for his “younger brother”, “Happy birthday to a fantastic player and a younger brother .. wish Him a great day and a happy life ahead [?]@virendersehwag.”

Happy birthday to a fantastic player and a younger brother .. wish Him a great day and a happy life ahead @virendersehwag⁩ pic.twitter.com/a6qu62g4Y3

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) October 20, 2024

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also wished Sehwag on his birthday, saying that the memories of his “blazing centuries” will forever stay in the hearts of cricket lovers.

“Happy Birthday, brother @virendersehwag. The memories of your blazing centuries, your double and triple hundreds, will forever be etched in the hearts of cricket lovers. Off the field, your wit, humour, and insightful takes on life and cricket continue to entertain and inspire us all. Wishing you many more years of greatness, both on and off the field! Have a wonderful birthday and an amazing year ahead.”

Happy Birthday, brother @virendersehwag .

The memories of your blazing centuries, your double and triple hundreds, will forever be etched in the hearts of cricket lovers. Off the field, your wit, humor, and insightful takes on life and cricket continue to entertain and inspire… pic.twitter.com/zUGZNweNu3

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 20, 2024

Former middle-order batter Suresh Raina also wished Sehwag on his birthday and thanked him for inspiring generations with his “fearless cricket”.

“Veeru bhai, on your special day and always, thank you for inspiring generations with your fearless cricket and joyful spirit! Happy Birthday, @virendersehwag! #Happybirthdaysehwag,” said Raina.

Veeru bhai, on your special day and always, thank you for inspiring generations with your fearless cricket and joyful spirit! Happy Birthday, @virendersehwag ! #Happybirthdaysehwag pic.twitter.com/JLWbEtcfJa

— Suresh Raina???????? (@ImRaina) October 20, 2024

In a 104-match long Test career, Sehwag scored 8586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34. He scored 23 centuries and 32 fifties in a 12-year-long stint in the longest format.

He smashed the fastest Test triple-century off just 278 deliveries to join Don Bradman and Brian Lara in the list of players to score two triples.

He made 319 off 304 balls against South Africa at Chennai in 2008 with 42 fours and five sixes. Sehwag’s previous triple ton was against Pakistan at Multan in 2004. Also, he is the only Indian with two Test triple tons.

Sehwag also played 251 ODIs and amassed 8273 runs with 15 tons and 38 fifties at an average of 35.05. He announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in October 2015.

The veteran also played 19 T20Is and scored 394 runs at an average of 21.88, with a strike rate of over 145. He also scored two half-centuries, with the best score of 68.

As evident by his 136 international wickets, with 40 coming in Tests and 96 in ODIs, Sehwag was also a very capable part-time spinner who could break partnerships.

Also, in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he represented Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) from 2008-15, scoring 2,728 runs in 104 matches at an average of 27.55, with two centuries and 16 fifties. His best score is 122.

Sehwag was also the part of the Indian teams which won the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.