Virender Sehwag was part of that generation of Indian batsmen who, apart from being known for their ability with the willow, were also very useful part-time bowlers. Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh were among those who have often made significant contributions with the ball for India, taking five-wicket hauls and four-wicket hauls in their international careers.
Sehwag told YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia on his channel BeerBiceps –
“I don’t know about magic but I did get some big batters out with my bowling. Ponting, Hayden, Hussey, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Dilshan, Lara, some top batters. I once dismissed Gilchrist round his legs in Perth. The big ones did fall to me sometimes.”
Sehwag added – “I actually felt quite sad when Virat Kohli once dropped a dolly off me at midwicket once. I would have probably got to some bowling milestone but he ended up putting it down. I got so angry, probably far more than when I missed a triple century. I told him come on man, you should have caught that.”
He said that there were times when he cherished a bowling milestone, to the point that there was an occasion when he shouted at a young Virat Kohli for dropping a catch off his bowling.
Sehwag said – “No one ever doubted his talent but I didn’t believe that Kohli would reach the heights he has now. Others may have felt that way but I didn’t. Even when he smashed (Lasith) Malinga in that match for fours – I think we needed some 280 inside 40 overs – he scored a wonderful century.”
Sehwag further said –
“So we knew there was no lacking in talent and that he will score runs but didn’t know that he will reach such legendary status and hit 70-75 centuries or score 25000 runs.”
Sehwag further added – “I was doubtful about that because it’s one thing to have talent but how long can you convert it into performances. Will he be this mentally strong? Today, he has proven everyone including me wrong. The greatness Kohli has reached today is unbelievable.”
