There is no denying that former India opener Virender Sehwag left a huge impact in Test cricket with his explosive and aggressive approach. He changed the dynamics of the red-ball format with his fearless brand of batting, thrashing the bowlers from the word go.
Sehwag, who made his Test debut for India in 2001, had an incredible career in the longest form of the game, where he ended up scoring 8586 runs in 104 Test matches at an eye-catching strike-rate 82-plus, notching up 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
‘The Nawab of Najafgarh’ played a massive role behind India’s dominance in Test cricket. But who are the other players like him in the current crop who can change the course of the match in a matter of a few overs? Well, Sehwag has himself picked two such Indian stars who, according to him, can help India rule the oldest format and also assist the team in winning the World Test Championship.
Sehwag has claimed that if Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw work on their strength and improve their skillset, India could become a powerhouse in Test cricket.
“He (Prithvi Shaw) is a player who can bring back the excitement in Test cricket. The opposition will have to think if 400 would be enough with Shaw and Pant in our ranks. Shaw and Pant in one team could help India rule Test cricket, win World Test Championship,” Sehwag told Sports18.
Notably, Shaw has not played for India since being dropped after the Adelaide Test during the tour of Australia in 2020-21. On the other hand, Pant has been a regular member in the red-ball format and has helped India touch glory, especially his match-winning effort at the Gabba that helped his side seal the four-match series 2-1 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
