- Nasima Akter
Virender Sehwag Shares Meeting with P. Shaw and S. Gill
Virender Sehwag, the legendary Indian cricketer known for his explosive batting style, recently shared an intriguing story about his encounter with two young Indian talents, Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill. Sehwag's revelation came in light of Shaw's remarkable comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a period of struggle.
Prithvi Shaw, who had been out of form and faced exclusion from the Delhi Capitals team, finally got his chance to bat and made it count. In a stunning display of power-hitting, Shaw smashed 54 runs off just 38 balls, contributing significantly to his team's imposing total of 213/2. It was a much-needed comeback for the young opener, who had struggled to find his rhythm in the earlier matches of the IPL 2023 season, managing only 47 runs in the first six games.
Sehwag's Statement
Virender Sehwag, now a cricket commentator and mentor figure, believes that young players should seize the opportunity to learn from experienced and former cricketers by seeking their guidance. However, he revealed that during the six-hour advertising shoot with Shaw and Gill, neither of them initiated a single conversation about cricket. Sehwag emphasized the importance of taking the initiative to approach experienced players for advice.
Drawing from his own experience, Sehwag recalled his interaction with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar during India's tour of Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2003-04. Sehwag, who wanted to learn from Gavaskar, requested the then-coach John Wright to organize a meeting. Wright arranged a dinner where Sehwag and his opening partner Aakash Chopra had the opportunity to discuss batting with Gavaskar.
Sehwag emphasized that players should make an effort to seek guidance from experienced players like Gavaskar. He emphasized that these legends won't automatically reach out; it is up to the youngsters to take the initiative.
Sehwag's Conclusion
Reflecting on the impact of Gavaskar's suggestions, Sehwag shared how he and Chopra benefited from their conversation with the cricketing great. Sehwag emerged as the highest run-scorer for India in the series, amassing an impressive 299 runs in four matches at an average of 42.71. These numbers underscored the significance of Gavaskar's guidance in Sehwag's successful performance during the series.
Sehwag's message to young players is clear: talent alone cannot guarantee a successful cricket career. Seeking guidance from experienced players can provide invaluable insights and improve performance on the field. Taking the initiative to engage in meaningful conversations with seasoned cricketers can shape a player's career trajectory.
As Prithvi Shaw finds his form again and demonstrates his potential, Sehwag's story serves as a reminder for emerging talents to make the most of the experience and wisdom that senior players have to offer. By reaching out and seeking guidance, young players can unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact in the world of cricket.
IPL Status
On the IPL front, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a crucial victory against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an IPL 2023 match on Thursday.
The outstanding partnership of 172 runs between Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis led RCB to a dominant win, chasing down the target set by SRH. Kohli's brilliant century overshadowed Heinrich Klaasen's ton, resulting in a thrilling high-scoring match.
With this win, RCB moved up to the fourth position in the points table, while SRH remained in the last spot. Kohli solidified his position as the leading run-scorer, while Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan topped the list of highest wicket-takers. RCB's opening duo set the tone for the chase with a quick start, and despite a late fightback from SRH, RCB emerged victorious with four balls to spare.
