Former India opener Virender Sehwag strongly criticised the public and media for drawing unfair comparisons between young, budding cricketers and their legendary fathers.
In an interview with NDTV, Sehwag emphasized that comparisons upset the players and that every individual must be allowed to make their own name.
Sehwag explicitly cited Arjun Tendulkar as a victim of unjust comparisons. He highlighted that Arjun is a fast-bowling all-rounder who has delivered strong domestic performances—like scoring a century and taking a five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy—yet people unfairly scrutinize him against the batting legacy of his father, Sachin Tendulkar.
Sehwag’s comment came days after his 18-year-old son, Aaryavir Sehwag, earned his maiden call-up to the India Under-19 team for a Youth One-Day series against Australia U19 in Rajkot, where Rahul Dravid’s son Anvay Dravid also featured.
"The comparisons will be there. We played cricket and we did so well, and now our kids are playing cricket, so they will compare. But it's not the right thing to compare with the fathers. You can compare them with other players, but why are you comparing them with their fathers? It's not right," Sehwag said.
"They will also get upset, you know, when the media or when people will compare. He (Aaryavir) is 18. I did so much for myself and for my team, and he's just started. So I think it's not fair," he added.
Sehwag then sympathized with Arjun, who is working to build an identity distinct from the legendary Tendulkar.
"People are comparing Sachin Tendulkar's son with Sachin. That's not fair. He's a fast bowling all-rounder who did well, scored a hundred and took five wickets and all in Ranji Trophy. But I don't know why people are comparing him with Sachin. He will make his own name and play the way he wants to play. He will not follow in his father's footsteps. Let them play first. Let them do something and then you will start comparing with others," Sehwag explained.
Aaryavir Sehwag accumulated 109 runs across three matches (scoring 34, 47, and 28) while serving as an opening batter like his father, helping India U19 secure a 3-0 series sweep.
