NEW DELHI: While
Yashasvi Jaiswal
has been in exceptional form recently, including a remarkable double hundred against England, former cricketer
Virender Sehwag
believes it's premature to draw comparisons with cricket legends like Sir Don Bradman and
Sachin Tendulkar
.
The 22-year-old Indian opener's impressive performances have led to discussions and comparisons with iconic players.
Sehwag, known for his straightforward opinions, suggests caution in making such comparisons at this early stage in Jaiswal's career.
Comparisons with legends of the game often come with high expectations and pressure, and Sehwag seems to advocate for giving Jaiswal time and space to carve out his own identity in the world of cricket.
"He is a very good batsman but I think comparisons are too early," Sehwag told PTI Bhasha in a virtual interaction from Dubai on Wednesday.
Sehwag expressed his stance on the franchise versus country debate, asserting that national duty should always take precedence over any commitments to domestic leagues.
"I firmly believe that representing a country should always take precedence over participating in any league. It is essential for players to prioritize national duty above club commitments.
"A prime example of this dedication was evident in the ILT20, where several West Indies players chose to leave the league temporarily to represent their nation in international fixtures in Australia," said the former Cricketer turned commentator.
"While I understand the allure of international leagues for domestic players, I believe their primary focus should remain on excelling in domestic competitions with the ultimate goal of representing India internationally," Sehwag said.
Sehwag expressed a different viewpoint on the potential impact of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on player fatigue and burnout before the
T20 World Cup
. In contrast to concerns raised by some about players being fatigued due to the IPL just before a major tournament, he believes that the IPL would serve as an excellent platform to prepare for the T20 World Cup.
"I am confident that fatigue or burnout will not be a concern for players heading into the T20 World Cup. On the contrary I feel that tournaments like IPL or ILT20 will prove instrumental in preparing teams for the global event.
"In IPL, one has to play 14 matches over two months, so there is ample time to maintain form and fitness and fine tune skills ahead of the T20 World Cup," said the former opener.
Amid the mushrooming of T20 and even T10 leagues across the world, does he feel that the quality of cricket has been compromised? He responded in the negative.
"The proliferation of domestic leagues following the success of the Indian Premier League highlights a global trend toward nurturing cricketing talent at home. These leagues play a vital role in enhancing the domestic cricketing ecosystem of each nation," he said.
"Moreover, the involvement of national cricket boards adds a layer of consistency to the leagues, ensuring their longevity and continued growth.
"Each league possesses its unique characteristics, and with the support of national cricketing bodies, they are poised to thrive and contribute significantly to the development of cricket on a global scale," said the former star who has played 104 Tests and 251 ODIs for India, scoring 8586 and 8273 runs respectively.
He also thinks that international cricket and various sanctioned leagues can co exist.
"Certainly, it is commendable to see the ICC allocating specific windows for various cricket leagues. This approach not only allows players from associate nations to gain invaluable exposure and experience but also ensures a well-structured calendar leading up to major events," said Sehwag.
"Currently, we are witnessing the ILT20, followed by the PSL, and then the highly anticipated IPL, all serving as crucial platforms for players to showcase their talent and fine-tune their skills.
"This seamless succession of tournaments culminating in the ICC T20 World Cup provides an ideal pathway for players to prepare and compete at the highest level on the global stage," he said.
Sehwag, known for his aggressive and destructive batting style, holds the belief that
Test cricket
is the most significant platform for players to express themselves.
Despite his reputation as a dynamic and attacking batsman, Sehwag recognises the unique challenges and character-building aspects of the longest format of the game.
"Test cricket has always been a format where one should go out and express themselves," he said when asked about his views on England's Bazball approach.
When asked about the speculation on him joining politics ahead of the general elections, he said that there are no such plans.
"Right now I am sitting in Dubai and doing commentary. There are no plans to join politics in future as well."
(With PTI inputs)
English (US) ·