Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag (born October 20, 1978, Delhi) is an Indian cricketer (batsman) and member of the Indian national cricket team since 1998 (one-dayers) and 2001 (Tests). He was giving the vice-captaincy of the Indian team on July 18, 2005.

Cricket career

He is often compared to Sachin Tendulkar in his early days due to the similar batting style.

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He has scored over 3,000 ODI runs at a strike rate of 95.78 runs per 100 balls which makes him one of the fastest batsmen in the world. (As of 2005, his ODI strike rate is best among all batsmen with average greater than 25 according to Cricinfo http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BATTING/ODI_BAT_BEST_SR.html) He has also scored over 5,000 runs in first-class cricket at an average of more than 50 with 18 first class centuries.

Related Topics:
Cricinfo - First-class cricket

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In ODI cricket, he is known for his aggressive, dazzling batting style, and does not hesitate to play unorthodox shots. He is at his element in the first 15 overs of the one-day game, dispatching the ball to the fence with ease and panache. It has been noted that his technique is very similar to Sachin Tendulkar, with whom he forms a most dangerous and equally entertaining opening pair. Sehwag is also a useful spin bowler.

Related Topics:
Batting - Spin bowler

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Sehwag has adapted to both the forms of the game. In the longer version of the game, he plays to ensure that he does not lose his wicket quickly although he scores at a rapid rate. On March 29, 2004 he became the first ever Indian batsman and only the 4th Asian batsman to score 300 runs in a Test innings, playing against Pakistan at Multan. He scored a total 309 runs in that innings. Interestingly he reached the milestone with a six becoming the only batsman to reach a triple ton with a sixer. He later auctioned the bat with which he made the record, for Rs. 70,000, to aid in relief efforts for the tsunami victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Related Topics:
March 29 - 2004 - Asia - Pakistan - Multan - Tsunami - 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

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Sehwag married Arti Alhawat in April, 2004 under heavy security in a media publicized wedding. Sehwag is fondly referred to in the media as the Prince of Najafgarh, Najafgarh being his home locality in Delhi.

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