Virender Sehwag, the swashbuckling former India opener, declared that while no one bats quite like him in the current team, Shaw and Rishabh Pant come close. Sehwag commented that while Pant is content with the 90s and 100s, he was only ever satisfied after scoring double and triple hundreds. The only batsman from India to have scored two triple hundreds in Test cricket, Sehwag is also known for his aggressive batting style. On whether anyone from the current team reminds him of his style of batting, the ex-player replied:
“I don’t think so there is any player in the Indian team who bats like me. The two players who came to my mind who have come close to it are Shaw and Pant. I think Pant is a little bit close to what I used to bat like in Test cricket but he is satisfied with 90-100 but I used to get satisfied with 200, 250 and 300.
“If he took his game to that level then I think he can entertain the fans even more.”
The 25-year-old Pant has gained a name for himself due to his aggressive playing style, especially in the Test format. In 33 Test matches he’s featured in, he’s tallied up 2271 runs with an average of 43.67, including 5 centuries and 11 half-centuries. Unfortunately, he is recovering from multiple injuries sustained in a car accident in December last year.
Sehwag opened up on approaching for coaching role
Sehwag revealed that the BCCI approached him to become the head coach for India following the disagreements between Kohli and Anil Kumble. He said,
“I wouldn’t have applied if Virat Kohli and then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary hadn’t approached me. We had a meeting, and he (Choudhary) told me that things weren’t working out between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble we want you to take the coaching position.
“He told that me that Kumble’s contract will expire after the Champions Trophy in 2017 and then you can travel to West Indies with the team.”