As the undeterred individual he was, Virender Sehwag rarely cared for what others had to say about him. But one piece of advice from the legendary India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, he revealed years post his retirement on Sunday (January 12), did have a massive influence on him as it changed the way the rampaging batsman went about playing Test cricket.
Read Also: Dale Steyn puts Glenn Maxwell in the category of Sehwag and De Villiers
"I did not want to let go of the opportunity to deliver the (seventh annual) Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture as I have a personal relation with him," Sehwag said paying tribute to one of India's most inspirational leaders.
"I had watched his batting videos, but had never spoke to him. I usually do not take anybody's advice. But Tiger Pataudi sir gave me an advice which changed the way I played Test cricket. I am ever so grateful to him for the advice."
"One of my last interactions with him was about Delhi cricket, when Arun Jaitley ji called us to his home to help restructure and revive and streamline Delhi cricket."
Tiger died in 2011 after playing 46 Tests for India, scoring 2,793 runs at an average of 34.9 with effectively one eye since that tragic accident in England before his debut in 1961. He laid the foundation to India's famous overseas Test series wins in 1971 in England and West Indies as a captain by promoting the great spin quartet featuring Bishan Singh Bedi, BS Chandrashekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Ventaraghavan in the late 60's.
Meanwhile, Sehwag also hailed the new BCCI president and his former captain Sourav Ganguly, calling him the "boss".
"Sourav Ganguly is the boss. He was the boss of the Indian cricket team and made me open the batting. And now he is the boss of BCCI," he said.
Even four years after calling it quits, Viru at heart is still batting for India as he wishes to see skipper Virat Kohli & his men reign supreme at the T20 World Cup in Australia.
"I hope Virat lifts the T20 World Cup in Australia... but do remember Test cricket in your thoughts as well. It needs your best wishes to remain to the 'pink' of it's health," said the man who entertained one and all during his illustrious career, playing 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20s.
(Inputs from IANS)
