In the realm of cricket, where opinions flow freely, the relationship between Virender Sehwag and David Warner stands out as a testament to mutual respect and a shared passion for boundary-hitting prowess. From Sehwag’s early recognition of Warner’s Test potential to the camaraderie developed over their impressive batting displays, the two have forged a unique bond.
Notably, the destructive duo of Sehwag and Warner has played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the past.
As David Warner gears up for his final Test, Virender Sehwag, his former mentor, shares insights into Warner’s remarkable career and addresses the unique challenges faced by aggressive batsmen like them in dealing with extreme criticism.
When asked about the heightened criticism that aggressive batsmen endure, especially when their flamboyance doesn’t translate into success, Virender Sehwag provided a thoughtful perspective:
“In cricket, batters can fall while defending or playing a shot. Criticism is an inherent part of our lives as cricketers. During one IPL season, David wasn’t consistently scoring runs, and we had a discussion. I offered him advice: ‘People will say a lot about your batting. That’s their job. Your job is to focus on playing the way you want to play, not the way everyone else wants you to play. That’s where your strength lies,'” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Be honest to yourself: Virender Sehwag to Warner
Sehwag emphasized the importance of being true to oneself and letting one’s performance speak for itself. The seasoned cricketer shared his candid advice with Warner, emphasizing that shutting down critics comes from a genuine commitment to one’s style and letting the bat do the talking on the field.
“I told him the only way to shut them up is by being honest to yourself and letting your bat do the talking for you,” Sehwag added.
In a sport where opinions can be as dynamic as the game itself, Sehwag’s words echo the resilience required by flamboyant batsmen like David Warner. As Warner takes to the field for his final Test, the echoes of Sehwag’s advice resonate, encouraging the Australian batter to be true to his style and let his bat craft the fitting response to any critique that comes his way.
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