Virender Sehwag, born on October 20, 1978, in Najafgarh, Delhi, India, is renowned for his aggressive batting style and significant contributions to Indian cricket. His career, spanning from 1999 to 2013, is marked by numerous records and accolades.
Personal Life
- Family: Son of Krishan Kumar Sehwag, a grain merchant, and Krishna Sehwag, a homemaker.
- Marriage: Married Aarti Ahlawat in April 2004.
- Children: Two sons, Aryavir (born in 2007) and Vedant (born in 2010).
Cricketing Career
Sehwag’s cricketing journey is distinguished by his explosive batting across all formats. Below is a detailed breakdown of his career statistics:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 104 | 180 | 6 | 8,586 | 319 | 49.34 | 82.23 | 23 | 32 | 1,233 | 91 | 91 |
| ODIs | 251 | 245 | 9 | 8,273 | 219 | 35.05 | 104.33 | 15 | 38 | 1,132 | 136 | 93 |
| T20Is | 19 | 18 | 0 | 394 | 68 | 21.88 | 145.38 | 0 | 2 | 43 | 16 | 2 |
| First-Class | 194 | 321 | 11 | 14,683 | 319 | 47.36 | – | 42 | 55 | – | – | 166 |
| List A | 336 | 314 | 14 | 10,841 | 219 | 34.80 | – | 16 | 54 | – | – | 106 |
| T20s | 104 | 104 | 5 | 2,728 | 122 | 27.55 | 155.44 | 2 | 16 | 334 | 106 | 34 |
Note: ‘-‘ indicates data not specified.
In addition to his batting prowess, Sehwag contributed as an occasional off-spin bowler:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Best Bowling (Innings) | Average | Economy Rate | Strike Rate | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 104 | 91 | 3,731 | 1,894 | 40 | 5/104 | 47.35 | 3.04 | 93.2 | 0 | 1 |
| ODIs | 251 | 146 | 4,392 | 3,853 | 96 | 4/6 | 40.13 | 5.26 | 45.7 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 19 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 0 | – | – | 20.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| First-Class | 194 | – | 8,614 | 4,470 | 105 | 5/104 | 42.57 | 3.11 | 82.0 | – | 1 |
| List A | 336 | – | 6,009 | 5,154 | 142 | 4/6 | 36.29 | 5.14 | 42.3 | 3 | 0 |
| T20s | 104 | 15 | 136 | 235 | 6 | 2/18 | 39.16 | 10.36 | 22.6 | 0 | 0 |
Note: ‘-‘ indicates data not specified.
Records and Achievements
- Test Cricket:
- First Indian to score a triple century in Tests, achieving 309 runs against Pakistan in Multan, 2004.
- Only Indian with two triple centuries in Tests, the second being 319 against South Africa in Chennai, 2008.
- Holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian in Tests (319).
- Third-highest number of runs scored in a single day of a Test match (284).
- ODI Cricket:
- Second batsman in the world to score a double century in ODIs, with 219 runs against West Indies in 2011.
- Holds the record for the highest individual score by a captain in ODIs (219).
- T20 Cricket:
- Scored two centuries in T20 matches, with a highest score of 122.
- Awards:
- Arjuna Award (2002)
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2008, 2009)
- Padma Shri
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Virender Sehwag, apart from being a cricketing icon, is known for his comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. Post-retirement, he has embraced entrepreneurship and commentary while enjoying a lifestyle befitting his stature.
Net Worth
- Estimated net worth: ₹300-350 crore ($40-45 million) as of 2024.
- Income sources: Cricket earnings, commentary, brand endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Real Estate
- Najafgarh Bungalow: A spacious ancestral home in Najafgarh, Delhi, where he grew up.
- Hauz Khas Residence: Owns a luxurious home in Hauz Khas, Delhi, one of the poshest areas of the city. This property is valued at ₹20 crore.
- Farmhouse in Delhi NCR: A lavish farmhouse for family gatherings and events.
- Additional Properties: Owns multiple real estate investments across India.
Car Collection
Virender Sehwag is an automobile enthusiast with a stunning car collection that includes:
- Bentley Continental Flying Spur: A luxury sedan worth over ₹3.5 crore.
- BMW 7-Series: A premium car for personal use, valued at around ₹1.5 crore.
- Audi Q7: Known for its comfort and luxury, priced at approximately ₹80 lakh.
- Mercedes-Benz GLS 350: A luxury SUV worth ₹90 lakh.
- Toyota Fortuner: A rugged SUV used for daily commutes.
Lifestyle Highlights
- Luxury Gadgets: Sehwag owns the latest in gadgets, including premium smartphones, smartwatches, and high-end gaming systems.
- Clothing and Accessories: He is often seen wearing designer suits and watches from brands like Rolex and Omega.
- Vacation Spots: Frequently travels to international destinations like Switzerland, Australia, and the Maldives for family vacations.
- Private Gym: Maintains a fully equipped private gym at his residence.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
- Sehwag International School: A state-of-the-art educational institution in Jhajjar, Haryana, focused on academics and sports.
- Commentary and Analysis: A sought-after cricket commentator and analyst.
- Brand Endorsements: Represents global brands like Hero, Adidas, and Boost, earning ₹3-5 crore annually through endorsements.
Virender Sehwag’s larger-than-life persona extends beyond cricket. His luxurious lifestyle, successful ventures, and contributions to cricket and society make him one of India’s most admired sports personalities.
