BCCI Pens Heartfelt Wish as Virender Sehwag Turns 47 News24 –

When we talk about the most fearless and impactful cricketers to have ever worn the Indian jersey, one name stands out distinctly – Virender Sehwag. A swashbuckling opener, a part-time spinner, and a game-changer across formats, Sehwag’s legacy is etched not just in records, but in the way he changed how India approached Test and limited-overs cricket.

3️⃣7️⃣4️⃣ Intl. Matches
1️⃣7️⃣2️⃣5️⃣3️⃣ Intl. Runs
3️⃣8️⃣ Intl. Hundreds
Winner of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ & ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣1️⃣ 🏆

Only #TeamIndia cricketer to score two triple hundreds in Tests 🫡

Here’s wishing the legendary Virender Sehwag a very happy birthday… pic.twitter.com/Cq0DMPKrfU

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2025

A Test Career Full of Fire and Flair

Sehwag’s approach to Test cricket was anything but conventional. In an era where most batters built their innings brick by brick, Sehwag came in swinging, quite literally. In a 104-Test career that spanned over 12 years, he amassed 8,586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34, including 23 centuries and 32 fifties.

But what truly set him apart were his two triple-centuries, a feat only legends like Don Bradman and Brian Lara had achieved before him. His first came in 2004, a thunderous 309 against Pakistan at Multan, earning him the nickname ‘Sultan of Multan’. But it was the second triple-century that rewrote the history books. In 2008, against a quality South African attack in Chennai, Sehwag smashed a blistering 319 off just 304 balls, including 42 fours and five sixes – making it the fastest triple-century in Test history, off just 278 balls.

He remains the only Indian cricketer to have scored two Test triple tons, and arguably the only one who could make a Test match feel like a T20 on his day.

A White-Ball Wrecking Machine

In ODIs, Sehwag carried the same fearless brand of cricket. In 251 One-Day Internationals, he scored 8,273 runs at an average of 35.05, including 15 centuries and 38 fifties. His strokeplay was a nightmare for bowlers – aggressive from ball one, unafraid to take risks, and capable of turning the tide within minutes.

While his ODI average may not stand out in an era of consistency, his impact in match situations was unparalleled. He was the kind of opener who could demoralize opposition attacks before they even settled into a rhythm.

His brief stint in T20Is saw him play 19 matches, scoring 394 runs at a strike rate of over 145, with two fifties and a highest score of 68. Though his T20I numbers may seem modest, it’s worth remembering that Sehwag’s style was tailor-made for this format – well before T20 cricket had become mainstream.

A Handy Bowler and IPL Trailblazer

Often underrated as a bowler, Sehwag had a knack for breaking crucial partnerships. He picked up 136 international wickets, with 40 in Tests and 96 in ODIs, proving his value as a utility option when the main bowlers needed a breather or when a breakthrough was desperately needed.

In the IPL, he represented Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) and Punjab Kings between 2008 and 2015. In 104 IPL matches, he scored 2,728 runs at an average of 27.55, with two centuries and 16 half-centuries. His highest score, a blistering 122 – still ranks among the league’s most entertaining innings.

World Cup Glory and Final Bow

Sehwag’s career wasn’t just about individual brilliance. He was also a part of two of Indian cricket’s most historic moments, the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup win and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph. His aggressive starts at the top often gave India the platform to dominate, and while he didn’t finish as the leading run-scorer, his contributions were vital to the team’s success.

In October 2015, Sehwag announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a career that was equal parts thrilling and trailblazing.

The Legacy of Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag didn’t just score runs – he scorched them. He didn’t just win matches, he transformed them. Whether it was pulling pace bowlers with disdain, dancing down to spinners in Tests, or opening with audacity in ODIs and T20s, Sehwag made cricket look easy and fun.

He inspired a generation to play the game on their own terms with courage, clarity, and charisma. And while records will always speak for themselves, Sehwag’s true legacy lies in how he made Indian cricket fearless.