Sehwag reflects back on Anil Kumble’s immense support during a rough phase in his career

Virender Sehwag was one of the best batters India saw playing for them but even he had some grey days in his career. In the same sequence, he has come up with a video talking about how he was trusted by Anil Kumble even while he was down. Sehwag was having a below-average run in the domestic set up and even then Kumble picked him for the crucial 2007-08 Australia series.

Sehwag stated that the likes of Aakash Chopra and Gautam Gambhir should have been preferred but still, Kumble trusted him. The former legendary spinner took Sehwag because he wanted someone to play a fearless brand of cricket just like Aussies at the top order.

“When I was traveling with him (Anil Kumble) in the team going to Australia, I asked why did you pick me? You had other options. He replied that Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Aakash Chopra, and Rahul Dravid are all players of one category. They will play 200 balls and score a century. But I need such an opener who can go to Australia and answer them, play like them,” said Sehwag in a video posted on his FB page.

Virender Sehwag remembers how Anil Kumble asked him to be patient on Australia tour

Sehwag was having a torrid run in the first-class games and he even didn’t get a chance in the first two games against Australia but requested Kumble to somehow put him in XI for the third game at Perth. Though Sehwag couldn’t score much there, he chipped in with 20-30 runs and picked two wickets where India won. He stated that the beginning was great for him to gather his confidence back in the series.

“Anil bhai told me just one thing, since you have waited so long, have a little more patience. I got a chance to play after 2 matches, I played in Perth and got off to a good start. Didn’t score much, only 20-30 runs in both innings and took 2 wickets and we won that match. But the beginning was good,” he added.