Former Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag made a spectacular entry into the ICC Hall of Fame at a glittering function held in Mumbai on Tuesday night. Sehwag, known for his explosive batting style, was inducted as the 112th member, sharing the stage with cricket legends Ian Bishop, Diana Edulji, and Aravinda de Silva.
In a candid response to Ian Bishop’s question about his reaction to the induction, Sehwag humorously quipped, “I think I’m late,” eliciting laughter from the audience. The other inductees included former India women’s captain Diana Edulji, marking the first Indian woman cricketer in the ICC Hall of Fame, and Sri Lankan batting maestro Aravinda de Silva.
Virender Sehwag talks about ODI format
Sehwag, revered for his fearless approach to the game, expressed his disapproval of the suggestion to reduce the 50-over ODI format to a 40-overs-a-side game. “Why? I don’t think that there’s any need for that. If somebody wants to play only the shorter format, they can play only T20 cricket. I think 50 overs is fine,” he stated.
Addressing recent proposals to eliminate the use of two balls in ODIs, Sehwag disagreed, stating, “Isn’t it difficult to play the new ball? Batting has become more challenging because of two balls in ODIs.” He emphasized the need for teams to play entertaining cricket in Tests, citing England’s Bazball style as a positive example.
Offering advice to Team India ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-finals against New Zealand, Sehwag urged the players to “play fearless cricket and give your best,” highlighting the unpredictable nature of cricket results.
During the ceremony, Diana Edulji shared her gratitude to former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi, revealing that Bedi was her idol who taught her to bowl the arm ball. She credited her appointment in the Committee of Administrators in 2017 as a turning point for India’s women’s cricket, leading to increased cash prizes for the team.
The star-studded event featured distinguished guests, including West Indies cricket legend Viv Richards. The ceremony celebrated the cricketing careers of these iconic players, marking their enduring impact on the sport.
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