Virender Sehwag changed the way Test cricket was played: Sourav Ganguly

Kolkata: Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic batsmen to have played cricket.

Despite not being the most technically sound batsmen in the Indian team, Viru's hand eye coordination was unmatchable as a result of which he scored heaps of runs across formats.

“You look at modern-day openers who are criticised for not getting runs quickly. It was all started by Virender Sehwag and Mathew Hayden. To a certain extent even Justin Langer, but in Tests these two changed the definition of batting,” Ganguly said during a talk show arranged to commemorate India’s 500 Tests.

The Prince of Kolkata also recalled a funny incident when he walked to the pitch to bat with Viru to chase 325 scored by England in Natwest Series Final in 2002.

“We were chasing 325 in England (Natwest Series final 2002) and I remember Viru whistling down the staircase. When I used to walk in to bat with him I used to say ‘thoda sa defend karle tu century banayega (defend initially, you’ll get a big score). But then I thought it is best to let players express themselves,” Ganguly recalled.

Sehwag, who remains to be the only Indian batsman to score a triple ton, hailed Ganguly for backing players like him to the hilt.

“I never had fear because my captain (Ganguly) would always back me. I also knew that the batsmen after me were all great. The likes of Rahul (Dravid), Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly), (VVS) Laxman, M.S. Dhoni were there, so I could relax,” Sehwag said.

Sehwag, who retired from international cricket last year, is currently a part of the commentary team for ongoing India-New Zealand series.