‘I’ve always wanted both, the opponent and I’, Virender Sehwag describes “Selfish” act

Virender Sehwag is widely regarded as one of the most destructive opening batsmen in the history of cricket. In a stellar international cricket career, Sehwag represented India in 104 Tests and 251 ODIs, as well as 19 T20Is and was instrumental in the team’s run to the T20 World Cup (2007). ) and ODI World Cup (2011) win.

During a chat with popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia,Virender Sehwag said –

Sehwag said as he began the story – “Bad vibes are in the sense that some want to score runs but want others to fail. Growing up, I’ve always wanted both, the opponent and I, to score runs. Whoever is better will eventually be selected. Why should I get selfish?”

Sehwag recalled how he could have scored more if Ishant Sharma – the number 11 batsman in the innings – had not urged him to take one. The original question was about negative influences in the dressing room and as Sehwag opened his answer with players being “selfish”, he cited the example of his conversation with Ishant to make a point.

Sehwag added – “Let me tell you a story. I was batting on 199. Ishant Sharma was my partner. I knew Ishant couldn’t play out Muralitharan and (Ajantha) Mendis. I could’ve been selfish that time, I could’ve taken a single to reach my 200 and give Ishant the strike. But I played out five deliveries against Muralitharan and took a single off the last ball.”

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Sehwag furhter said –

“Ishant came to me and said, ‘Bhaiya, I will play. You’re getting scared for no reason’. I said okay, I scored 200, took a single, reached 201 and gave him the strike. Ishant couldn’t survive two balls. Then I asked him, ‘So you played them out? Are you done?’

Sehwag further added – “Here, I was thinking that I can add more runs to the scoreboard and he said he will play them out. It wasn’t important for me to score 200. All I wanted was to be at the strike and score as many runs as possible for the team. So, I didn’t have that selfishness.”