In the Mann Ki Jeet session of Amar Ujala Samvad 2023, former India opener Virender Sehwag explained the reasons behind the defeat of the Indian team in the World Test Championship. Apart from this, Sehwag also narrated some famous stories from his cricket career. Viru also explained why he keeps on singing while batting and how was his behavior with the Pakistan players. During this, Sehwag narrated the story of the India-Pakistan Bangalore Test.
In 2005, the Pakistan team came on a tour of India. Then a series of three Test matches was played. The first test in Mohali was drawn and the second test in Kolkata was won by India. The last match of the series was played in Bengaluru. In this match, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and decided to bat. Pakistan scored 570 runs in the first innings. At the same time, India scored 449 runs in the first innings. This included Sehwag's 201 runs. However, India lost this test. There was a funny incident during the double century which Sehwag narrated.
Pakistani bowlers were doing negative bowling
Sehwag narrated how Inzamam accepted his challenge and then the Pakistan captain's ploy backfired. Sehwag said, “I had scored 201 runs in the Bangalore Test. Inzamam-ul-Haq was bowling negatively when I was batting around 150-160. Danish Kaneria was bowling around the wicket. He was constantly bowling on the feet. One over maiden happened, two overs, and then three over maidens. I had to score fast runs and complete the double century.
Kaneria got angry on Inzamam
Sehwag further said, “Then I spoke to Inzamam. I told him that Engi bhai, call the long on fielder inside. So he asked why? On this I said that I want to hit a six, then he said to hit it where the fielder is standing. So I said that if I hit there, I will be out. If he was forward, the ball would have fallen behind, then he would have got a four. Inzamam called the fielder forward. After that Kaneria bowled, and I hit a six right there. Kaneria got angry about this and asked Inzamam why he was called forward, then Inji Bhai said you do not know what is going on here.
Sehwag praised Inzamam
Sehwag praised Inzamam after this. He said, “Enji Bhai used to talk very softly. He is one of the best captains of Pakistan. He has been the best batsman in Asia in the middle order. Along with him, I consider Arvind de Silva the best batsman in the middle order. He used to talk in 2003-04 that if 70-80 runs are left in 10 overs, he will make it comfortably.
Sehwag fulfilled the request of Yasir Hameed
Sehwag is very fond of singing. He is a fan of Kishore Kumar. While batting, he used to sing songs to reduce the pressure on himself. Sehwag narrated an anecdote related to this. He told how he had fulfilled the request of former Pakistan opener Yasir Hameed. Sehwag said, “Once against Pakistan in Bengaluru, I was humming songs. At the same time, Yasir Hameed standing at short leg overheard. He said Bhaijaan, where is your friend… tell me. I again fulfilled his request. Apart from him, he also narrated the song to Kamran Akmal. Actually, even the players of Pakistan understand Hindi, so they make requests. Never a white person tells us to listen to Kishore Kumar's song.
(pc amarujala)
