Virender Sehwag brings out a shocking revelation
Former India opener Virender Sehwag recently shared a vivid memory from his early cricketing days, highlighting the intense and somewhat intimidating catching drills conducted by former India fast bowler Yograj Singh. Speaking about his experiences at a youth training camp, Sehwag recalled how Yograj would stand very close and hit fierce catches at the young players with incredible power and precision. The drills were so intense that Sehwag said his hands would often turn red and sore from the impact, yet no one dared to complain or object to Yograj’s methods.
Sehwag added that the fear and respect Yograj commanded meant that even the toughest sessions were endured in silence. The players eventually had to come up with a more tactful way to cope — by politely requesting Yograj to give others in the camp a chance in the drill, hoping for a break from the non-stop barrage of powerful catches. Despite the physical toll, Sehwag acknowledged that these sessions toughened him up and played a role in shaping his early cricketing discipline. The story offered a glimpse into the old-school, no-nonsense coaching style that many Indian cricketers from that era grew up with.
“Paaji, please forgive me. But the kind of catches he gave us standing at a distance of 15 yards. After taking 10-12 catches, your hands turned red. But you couldn’t say no. So finally we had to tell him that there are other boys around, and you can give them catching drills as well. It is not just us," stated former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag.
Yograj Singh, father of legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, is widely known for his tough and disciplined coaching methods. A former cricketer himself, Yograj believed in pushing young players to their limits, often conducting intense training sessions to build mental and physical toughness. His strict approach extended to his own son, as he put Yuvraj through rigorous practice routines from a very young age. These sessions were designed to prepare Yuvraj for the challenges of international cricket, instilling in him the work ethic and resilience needed to succeed at the highest level.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has emerged as a brilliant platform for cricketers to display their talent and improve their skills while sharing the field with some of the world’s best players. However, former India opener Virender Sehwag emphasized the importance of building a strong foundation first. He advised young cricketers to focus on age-group cricket and domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy before stepping into the IPL. According to Sehwag, these traditional formats help players develop temperament, technique, and match awareness, which are crucial for long-term success.
"The key is to play Under-19s, First-class cricket, and then the IPL. It can’t be that you don’t play the others, but only play the IPL. The IPL can be an aim, but you need to play other tournaments such as Under-19s, Ranji Trophy, and Duleep Trophy, and then you can get a chance in the IPL," Sehwag added.
