'Dravid told me you won't give me the time to even put my pads on' - Virender Sehwag reflects on his 1st innings as Test opener

The England- India Test series is underway and when two powerful oppositions battle out against each other, the on-lookers get to experience some enthralling contests. However, playing cricket in different countries also adds to the kit bag of memories of the cricketers. Recounting one such memory from the past, Virender Sehwag has shared an instance from the England tour in 2002 wherein he opened for India for the first time in red-ball cricket.

Virender Sehwag had ruled the Test cricket arena with his sheer flair. He is highly renowned as one of the best batters to have walked onto the field. He had a lasting impact on the game and graced the 22 yards being second to none. One of India’s best Test openers, Sehwag recalled the moment when he first opened for India in Test cricket.

He asserted that while he was walking out to bat, Rahul Dravid had already put on his pads probably sensing that he might get out soon. But Sehwag being one of his kind registered the scores of 84 at Lord’s and 106 at Trent Bridge.

“I remember when I opened for India in Tests for the first time, I was getting ready to out and saw that Rahul Dravid is already padded up and getting ready for his turn. So, I told him ‘I’m yet to go out. He told me ‘I know that you won’t give me the time to even put my pads on. But after the first match, he probably realized that it’s not like that. I will give him chance. I scored 84 and then when I hit a century, he was pretty sure. Then he always used to put his pads on after me,” Sehwag recalled as reported by HT.

Virender Sehwag raises concerns over England’s top order

For the team to get in a dominating position, it becomes very pivotal that the openers provide a solid start. The England team however has been facing issues with their top-order as their opening pair couldn’t hold the fort of the team in the first Test and even in the first innings of the Lord’s Test. Opening up on the same, Sehwag stated the importance of a good opening partnership and asserted the pressure that is created if the top-order fails to deliver.

“When your openers do not give you a good start, that is when you come down to the bottom. The chances of winning also take a hit because if you have a good partnership – say of 50-100 runs, it becomes easier for the middle order. Eight times their openers have gotten out for a duck, which is a big number. When the openers get out early, you are left with pressure to deal with,” Sehwag said on the Sony Sports Network.