Virendra Sehwag Biography | Birth, Age, Family and Education
Virender Sehwag, famously known as Viru, is a cricketing icon whose reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of cricket needs no introduction. Hailing from Najafgarh, Delhi, he was born on 20th October 1978. His journey in cricket began at a young age when he received a toy bat at the age of seven, which became his treasured possession and foreshadowed his brilliant future in the sport. Recognizing his passion and talent for cricket, Sehwag convinced his parents to let him pursue a career in sports, and under the guidance of his coach Amar Nath Sharma, he developed an attacking batting style.
However, his path to greatness wasn’t without obstacles. In 1990, he faced a setback when an accident resulted in a broken tooth while playing. Concerned about his safety, his father initially wanted him to quit cricket, but fortunately, his mother’s persuasion prevailed, allowing him to continue playing.
Sehwag represented Delhi in domestic cricket after completing his graduation from Jamia Millia Islamia. His journey as a cricketer is adorned with numerous achievements, records, and accolades. From making his ODI debut on 1st April 1999 to his Test debut on 3rd November 2001 and T20 debut on 1st December 2006, he showcased his batting prowess across formats.
Beyond his on-field exploits, Virender Sehwag has also been a vice-captain for the Indian team, Delhi Ranji team, and IPL team Delhi Daredevils, and has played for various other teams in different leagues. His list of records is seemingly endless, and his century count is an impressive testament to his batting brilliance.
Now, even in the digital world, Sehwag continues to win hearts with his wit and charm on social media. Fondly called the “Nawab of Najafgarh,” he has lived an eventful life, filled with highs and lows, personal milestones, and occasional controversies. His legacy as a cricketing legend remains immortal, inspiring fans across the globe.
 Virendra Sehwag Cricket Career
Virender Sehwag’s illustrious cricketing journey began with the Delhi cricket team during the 1997-98 season, where he quickly impressed everyone with his outstanding performances in the Duleep Trophy, including a remarkable score of 274 runs in a match. As a result, he caught the attention of selectors and became a favourite among them throughout his first-class career.
In international cricket, Sehwag faced a tough start with a disappointing ODI debut against Pakistan in April 1999, where he could only score one run. However, he persevered and got another opportunity in December 2000, making the most of it by showcasing his talent with both bat and ball. He earned his first Man of the Match award in March 2001 and soon became a regular opener for the Indian team, solidifying his position with remarkable performances.
Over the years, Sehwag established himself as a dominant force in Test cricket, consistently scoring centuries even during periods of inconsistent form. While he experienced some ups and downs in limited-overs cricket, his prowess in the longest format of the game was highly regarded. Notably, he also represented the ICC’s World XI on multiple occasions.
Sehwag’s association with the Indian Premier League (IPL) began with the Delhi Daredevils, where he captained the side in the initial editions before later focusing on mentoring the team. He displayed his aggressive and destructive style of batting, earning a reputation as one of the most formidable opening batsmen in the league.
Throughout his career, Sehwag was renowned for his ability to score centuries with remarkable ease. One of his most memorable innings was his triple century, a score of 319 against South Africa at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which set a record for being the fastest international triple century. His century tally is a testament to his brilliance as a batsman, earning him the well-deserved nickname “Century Man.”
Not only a prolific batsman, Sehwag also contributed with his off-break bowling, taking crucial wickets at times. His all-round abilities and unwavering dedication to the game made him one of India’s cricketing legends. He bid farewell to all formats of international cricket on 20th October 2015, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in cricketing history.
Virender Sehwag was born into a large Jat family in Haryana, where his father Krishnan Sehwag worked as a grain merchant. He has two sisters named Manju and Anju, as well as a brother named Vinod. In April 2004, he tied the knot with Aarti Ahlawat, and together they have been blessed with two sons, Aryavir and Vedant.
Apart from his cricketing career, Sehwag has been involved in various other ventures and philanthropic activities. He fulfilled his father’s dream by establishing a school in Jhajjar, Haryana, where students have the opportunity to study, train, reside, and engage in various sports. The school has already produced 22 students who have gone on to represent national and state teams.
Beyond cricket, Sehwag has appeared as a guest on the popular singing reality show, Indian Idol, and received the honor of having Gate No. 2 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium named after him by the Delhi and District Cricket Association.
Sehwag has also ventured into the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and signed up with the Rario platform, which is the world’s first officially licensed cricket digital collectables platform. This allows fans to purchase and trade NFTs not only for cricketers but also for international leagues.
Known for his wit and unique approach to the game, Sehwag has left behind several memorable quotes. He shares his perspective on focusing his mind while batting, emphasizing that he hums songs and bhajans, especially those by Sai Baba and Kishore Kumar, to keep himself uncluttered mentally. He also stresses the importance of avoiding distractions, choosing not to listen to people, watch TV, or read newspapers, and instead channelling that time into honing his cricket skills. Sehwag believes in the power of performance over technique and is confident that toughness and adaptability are key to survival in the game. For him, playing his natural game and taking opportunities to score whenever the ball is there to be hit is of utmost importance, regardless of the outcome.
Virender Sehwag, also known by various nicknames such as Viru, Bholi, Nawab of Najafgarh, and Sultan of Multan, is a former Indian cricketer who has left an indelible mark on the sport. Born on October 20, 1978, in Haryana, India, he stands at a height of 173 cm with brown eyes and black hair. Sehwag comes from a Hindu Jat family and is well-versed in his mother tongue, Hindi. He is a devout Hindu by religion.
In 2004, Sehwag tied the knot with Aarti Ahlawat, and the couple has been blessed with two sons, Aryavir (born in 2007) and Vedant (born in 2010). Their family resides at 14/5, Laxmi Garden in Najafgarh, New Delhi, India.
As a cricketer, Sehwag was known for his aggressive style and dominated the field as a top-order batsman. He bats right-handed and occasionally contributed with his right-arm off-break bowling. His journey in international cricket began with an ODI debut against Pakistan in April 1999 and concluded with his final Test against Australia in March 2013. Throughout his career, Sehwag played for various teams, including India, Leicestershire, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals, Haryana, and the Marylebone Cricket Club.
Beyond cricket, Sehwag is actively engaged in philanthropy and has started a school in Jhajjar, Haryana, fulfilling his father’s dream. The school provides education, training, accommodation, and sports facilities, and several of its students have gone on to represent national and state teams.
Apart from his sporting achievements, Sehwag has a strong presence on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where he enjoys a massive following of millions of fans. With his remarkable contributions to Indian cricket and his engaging personality, Virender Sehwag remains an enduring and beloved figure in the world of sports.
Virender Sehwag’s illustrious cricketing career has been adorned with numerous awards and records, solidifying his status as one of India’s greatest cricketers. In 2002, he was honored with the Arjuna Award, recognizing his exceptional achievements in Indian sports. Eight years later, in 2010, he received the prestigious Padma Shree for his outstanding contributions to the nation through his remarkable performances on the cricket field.
Sehwag’s dominance on the international stage earned him the title of Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for two consecutive years, in 2008 and 2009. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also acknowledged his extraordinary talent, naming him the ICC Test Player of the Year in 2010.
His international records are a testament to his incredible batting prowess. Sehwag holds the record for the fastest triple century in Test cricket, achieving the milestone in a breathtaking 278 balls. His highest Test score of 319, with a 100-plus strike rate, remains a remarkable achievement. He also stands out for recording the most triple centuries in Test matches, an impressive tally of two. As an ODI captain, Sehwag’s highest score of 219 is a shining example of his aggressive batting.
In both ODI and Test cricket, he ranks second in hitting the most number of fours, showcasing his ability to find boundaries with ease. Additionally, Sehwag achieved the distinction of being the second-fastest to reach 250 runs in Test cricket, accomplishing the feat in just 207 balls.
On the national front, Sehwag’s records are equally awe-inspiring. He became the first Indian batsman to score a triple century in Test cricket, setting a historic milestone. His swift batting allowed him to achieve the fastest 150, 200, 250, and 300 runs in Test matches, leaving spectators in awe of his attacking style. Another remarkable feat is his achievement of scoring the most Test runs in a single day, amassing an impressive total of 284 runs. Furthermore, Sehwag holds the record for hitting the most sixes in Test cricket, totaling an impressive 91 sixes throughout his career. Additionally, he stands tall as the opener with the most international runs, boasting a remarkable tally of 16,119 runs.
With these awards and records, Virender Sehwag’s impact on cricket is etched in history, making him a revered and celebrated figure both in India and globally. His extraordinary contributions to the sport continue to inspire and leave a lasting legacy in the world of cricket.
