`Virender Sehwag Pavilion` at Jamia Millia Islamia Stadium

New Delhi: His home state association DDCA haven`t yet named a stand after him at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground but Virender Sehwag`s alma mater Jamia Millia Islamia University has already paid tribute to their illustrious ex-student by naming a pavilion after him.

The pavilion at the far end of the Jamia Millia Islamia Sports Complex has been named `Virender Sehwag Pavilion` after the `Nawab of Najafgarh`. "Viru enrolled for the BA (General) Programme back in 1999 and due to his cricketing commitments could only complete his graduation in 2004. This pavilion was built before the 2010 Commonwealth Games as it was one of the practise venues for TT," JMI`s Director of Sports Noor Mohammed, who also doubles up as the curator, said. "Later in 2011, we decided to rename it as Virender Sehwag pavilion after our famous student, who has made the country proud," he added. Mohammed recalled those days when young Viru would come for training at this ground. "In fact, he played in the Inter-University tournament after returning from U-19 World Cup in South Africa. Not many India U-19 players would play for their university team. I am still in touch with him. He has dropped in a few times and would stay back for long hours and chat with us," Mohammed fondly recalled.