Need to convert talent into performance to make it big in cricket, says Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag, one of the stalwarts of Indian cricket, was renowned for his aggressive approach to the game while opening the batting for the national team in all three formats. After West Indies’ Chris Gayle, Sehwag is the only other batsman in the world to score a double hundred in ODI and a triple hundred in Test Cricket.

In a recent interview with IANS reporters, the former India opener spoke about the trials and tribulations faced by youngsters who aim to have a long-term career in cricket in today’s world.

“A lot of kids today are playing and taking cricket as a professional career choice. Making a name isn’t easy in this environment, it is not just about being good, but one also needs to be talented and have the ability to convert their talent into performance.

“If a youngster who has made it to the big league can continuously convert his talent to performances, only then they can have a secure future and hope to play 10-12 years. If you look at 80’s and 90’s, there were lots of players from metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc. However, this seems to be changing. Now, small-town representation in Indian team has increased,” Sehwag said in a recent interview with IANS.

TV channel Discovery will give insight on the problems faced by aspiring cricketers in a new show called ‘All Access: The Contenders’. Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube, pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Ishan Porel, wicketkeeper Harvik Desai will all give their side of the story in the soon to be telecast show. The Punjab-based pair of Anmolpreet Singh-Prabhsimran Singh will also be featured. The show will give young aspirants a glimpse of what Indian Premier League coaches, franchisees and team management look at while identifying their picks.