Sehwag was not the preferred choice of any selector: Madan Lal

Sehwag was not the preferred choice of any selector: Madan Lal: Virender Sehwag and his instinctive, audacious and entertaining approach for batting was lovable. He was loved for these qualities but was also criticized for not sticking to the coaching manual while batting.

The above said things would have been the very reason which could have delayed or spoilt his career before it even started. However, there was one forever cricketer who was very confident about his ability and knew that he would revolutionize batting. It was former cricketer and the then selector Madan Lal. In fact, he believed in Sehwag so much that he would bring up his name in every selectors meeting.

Virender Sehwag liked to face challenges. Similarly, his debut was also a sort of challenge to him. He had lots of things to prove when he made his India debut on 1st April 1999 against Pakistan at Mohali.

Sehwag was not the preferred choice of any selector in the committee. However, it was only at the insistence Madan Lal that he was drafted in the squad for the tri-series which included Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 1999.

“I knew Sehwag was a gifted cricketer. I saw him bat a couple of times and was amazed with his confidence. Besides talent, I also take into account attitude and temperament of a player. He was fearless from the beginning. Such was his confidence that he was always sure of clearing the boundary rope fielder. He only required a little backing, and I did just that,” Madan Lal told Mid-Day after Sehwag announced his retirement.

A couple of years ago, at an event at the Cricket Club of India, former BCCI Secretary, the late Jaywant Lele revealed how Madan Lal urged the Baroda man to convince Chandu Borde.

Lele had reportedly said, “Madan used to bring up Sehwag’s name at every selection committee meeting chaired by Chandu Borde. But he was never considered. Madan came to know that Borde and me share a good equation so, he tried to push Sehwag’s case through me. I persuaded Borde to give Sehwag a chance. Chandu agreed on the condition that I back him in case there are questions from the media,”

Madan Lal explained why he was so impressed with Sehwag, “I was convinced that India needed a player like Sehwag and that’s why I forced my choice on others (fellow selectors). Every selector backs some player because of their performances and certain qualities. I did the same. There was strong opposition. I don’t remember why now, but they had to ultimately give in.”

Madan revealed that his co-selectors wanted Sehwag to return home from the South Africa tour in 2001. “He had not performed well in the first few matches of the tri-series and there was a lot of discussion on calling him back. But I put my foot down. Sehwag was a match-winner.

“The team needed a guy like him with the way he would win matches for us. He could dominate any attack and seeing him hit the bowlers fearlessly also gave confidence to other players in the dressing room,” Madan Lal said.

His trust in Sehwag paid off as Sehwag scored a magnificent 105 on his Test debut against South Africa at Bloemfontein. This innings marked the beginning of the a fascinating career in history of Indian cricket.

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