“I began imitating his shots whenever he came to bat,” Virender Sehwag says of Sachin Tendulkar’s influence on his early cricket career.

Virender Sehwag, a former Indian cricketer and one of the most entertaining opening batters of all time, is renowned for his close relationship with Sachin Tendulkar, his former opening companion and batting icon. Virender Sehwag shared a fascinating tale from his youth about how a legendary cricketer inspired him during the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Virender Sehwag, who during his playing days was renowned for his aggressive stroke-making ability, is one of the most trustworthy cricket gurus on the scene. In the most recent episode of Breakfast with Champions, hosted by Gaurav Kapoor, Sehwag discussed how Sachin Tendulkar inspired him to enter the field.

“I had no notion that I would play cricket when I began observing him. During the 1992 World Cup, I began following cricket. When I learned that the World Cup would be held in Australia, we would watch the games at a neighbor’s home because we did not have cable at the time.

At that time, my neighbor informed me of Sachin Tendulkar. At the time, he was around 19 years old, and I was like, “Wow,” so I began imitating his batting strokes. My brothers would tease me by saying, “Sit down; you won’t become Tendulkar by imitating his shots.” I began observing and playing cricket thereafter. “I began with a tennis ball and then transitioned to a leather ball,” Sehwag explained of his inspiration for taking up cricket.

He instructed me to move on and attempt other foods. Virender Sehwag

During their tour of Australia, Sachin introduced the Delhi-born cricketer to foreign cuisines such as sushi, according to the former Indian international. Sehwag disclosed that he grew up in a vegetarian household and began eating poultry after leaving home to pursue cricket.

“When we were in Australia in 2003–2004, he took me out and ordered sushi. I inquired, “What is this sushi?” He stated that we would dine at a Japanese establishment. I pondered the menu, anticipating dal, roti, and the like. “Sachin shook his head and instructed me to try other foods,” Sehwag revealed.