5 instances that prove Virender Sehwag was one of the most enigmatic cricketers ever

Sehwag had the ability to leave the spectators in awe and shock, sometimes in equal measureA legend will soon be calling curtains on his international career and cricket would never retain the power to surprise you. If there was one thing Virender Sehwag specialized in, it was his ability to leave you in awe and shock, sometimes both. Glenn McGrath called him the most unpredictable cricketer ever and Brett Lee spoke about how he is the destroyer of a bowler’s attitude.Also read: MI vs RCB Live Scorecard, IPL 2016 Live Score and Commentary of Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Today's MatchBut the Nawab of Najafgarh was also an adorable cricketer, endearing because of the way he constantly proved that you don’t have to look studious and serious to win games and cricket need not be a lot of hard work.From start to finish, the man was an enigma pulling out strange rabbits out of his hat. In fact, his very success in Tests, right from his debut ton against South Africa to consistent scores at the top of the order in tough places like England show that he was a man who believed in defying everything – rules, predictions, norms and the coaching manual.We take a look at five instances that added to the enigmatic aura of Sehwag.

#5 Secret to an uncluttered mind

Sehwag had his own way of doing things

The enigma had a strange recipe for success too. A man full of confidence, Sehwag made pundits wonder as to how he scored all those runs on the toughest of tracks. He would say, he sung songs as perfectly as possible to keep the mind uncluttered. Those songs included Sai Baba Bhajans, Kishore Kumar songs and songs picturized on Amitabh Bachchan. That was a habit hard to replicate for success, but it certainly worked for the great man.

And if that was not enough, he exactly knew what he wanted. He put it in as many words, saying ‘we are not here to play drawn matches’ ahead of the second Test touring Pakistan in 2006. That was Sehwag for you. How else can you explain a batsman hitting the first ball of five consecutive World Cup matches playing for the home team, for a four!

#4 Oh so superstitious!

Sehwag sometimes played without a number on his jersey

Sehwag has an astute cricketing brain. Yet, he was as superstitious as they come. He famously talked about how he had been supporting Sri Lanka in that tight contest in Rajkot when they almost chased down 414. They fell three short and the secret was revealed when Sehwag told about how when he supports India, India loses.

He also funnily talked about horoscopes when his friend had told him about the day being a good one for Librans and he made it count with a triple century against South Africa. Yet the same man, once walked out without a number on his shirt. When asked about it, he spoke about how his family believed too much in numbers and how he was so frustrated with all of them pestering him and suggesting different numbers that he decided to show them all who the boss is!

#3 A session without fours

Sehwag could rein in his aggressive approach when needed

Sehwag is the man popularly known for sitting in the dressing room and remarking about how the batsman at the crease has missed a four or six. In his mind, there was always a way to put away most balls for a four or six. Sehwag not scoring a four every few minutes is unimaginable. Yet, there was a time, when Sehwag went a whole session without a single four.

He was capable of that kind of restraint, proving once again that he was a smart cricketer who had his own way of playing and scored fours because he knew they were possible and not out of impulse. It was the fourth Test at Adelaide in 2008 when India started the second innings trailing by 36 runs. Sehwag hit a four when he was on 84 in the 35th over, just before lunch on Day 5. India were still not very safe, losing some quick wickets and reaching 206 for four at Tea.

Sehwag’s next four came when he was on 133, in the 68th over. He had gone the entire post-lunch session without a four. For a man who almost scored a double century in one day & almost a century in one session, that was huge and showed how much he could rein in his impulses.

#2 The dismissal on 195 at the MCG

Sehwag’s knock was overshadowed by the manner of his dismissal

Sehwag scored 195 off 233 balls on the first day of the Test at the MCG, overtaking the record held by Viv Richards for the highest score by a visiting batsman on the hallowed ground. The unbelievable knock took the Aussies by surprise and helped India score more than 300 on the first day.

Yet, it was his dismissal that didn’t make sense to many then and never will. He was 189 when Simon Katich ambled in for his part-time chinaman. That was two overs before the new ball was due and India was in a strong position at 305 for three. Sehwag smashed Katich for a six moving to 195. The very next ball, Katich delivered a full toss that Sehwag hit straight to long-on, dismissed five runs short of what could have been an amazing double hundred. You would think he would never commit the mistake again, but you will be wrong!

#1 The six to reach a triple hundred

Sehwag was fearless with his approach to batting

No Indian had ever scored a triple century. Sehwag edged closer to that feat having overtaken India’s highest individual score at that time, the innings of 281 scored by VVS Laxman against Australia. Sehwag went up to Sachin on 295 and had told him, that no matter what Saqlain bowls, he will step out and hit him for a six. Sehwag clearly was in no mood to care for the consequences and had decided that he will smack a six. And he did going from 295 to 301.

That was the second fastest triple century missing Matthew Hayden’s mark by two balls. A few years later, he scored the fastest triple century in terms of balls against South Africa in 278 balls bettering Hayden’s mark by 84 balls. It might be a while before someone breaks that. Sehwag had the audacity to challenge Paul Harris when on 291 saying that he will hit him for a six if he bowls round the wicket.

When Harris did, Sehwag kept his promise, smacking a six even though there were three fielders in the deep, at long on, long off and deep midwicket. That is the stuff of legends. Sehwag also has five of the 11 fastest double centuries, including the second and third fastest.