Virender Sehwag was one of the main players in the Indian team when Greg Chappell, a highly controversial coach, caused turmoil in the dressing room. Chappell was known for frequently changing the team line-ups and playing combinations, which created tension among players.
Sehwag recently shared a memorable incident from that time. He recalled when Chappell threatened to drop him for not following his instructions. The coach warned Sehwag that his place in the team was at risk if he didn’t obey or score runs. The argument became so intense that Rahul Dravid had to step in and calm the situation.
“Greg Chappell once hurt me with his words when I was going through a tough time. He told me, ‘If you don’t move your feet, you won’t score runs.’ I replied, ‘Greg, I’ve scored over 6,000 runs with an average above 50.’ But he said, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ We argued badly, and Rahul Dravid had to step in to calm things down. Later, before I went out to bat, Greg warned me, ‘Score runs, or I’ll drop you.’ By the end of the second session, I had scored 184 runs. After that, I told Rahul, ‘Tell your coach not to come near me,’” Sehwag shared on The Life Savers Show.
Sehwag is one of India’s most successful Test openers. In 104 Test matches, he scored 8,586 runs with an impressive average of 49.34. He made 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries, known for attacking the bowlers from the very first ball. He also has two triple centuries and four double hundreds, the most by any Indian batsman.
Today, Sehwag works as a cricket commentator, covering major tournaments and matches around the world. The 46-year-old has also been a coach, leading Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons, during which Glenn Maxwell and Ravichandran Ashwin were the team captains.
FAQ
What did Virender Sehwag reveal about Greg Chappell?
Sehwag shared a controversial dressing room incident where former India coach Greg Chappell threatened to drop him if he didn’t follow instructions.
When did this clash occur?
The clash happened during Greg Chappell’s tenure as India’s head coach, a period known for tense team dynamics.
How did Sehwag respond to Chappell’s threat?
Sehwag defended himself by citing his record of over 6,000 international runs and later scored 184 runs in that match.
Did anyone intervene during the argument?
Yes, then-Indian captain Rahul Dravid stepped in to stop the argument from escalating further.
What did Sehwag say after the incident?
He told Dravid to “tell your coach not to come near me” after proving his form with a big score.
