How I met my idol, Virender Sehwag

I still remember the day when I met Sehwag (Dec 5, 2009). Two days ago on December 3, Sehwag walked into the Brabourne Stadium (Mumbai) to start playing one of his most memorable knocks in test cricket. I was in college, and around 12 noon some of my friends messaged me saying that Viru is on fire and just reached 100. I was happy, but at the same time envious as my friends were in the stadium watching him bat live. Well, there was no chance I could bunk my college on that day as we had a set of 3 mandatory attendance days from Dec 2 to Dec 4. Also, I had my Physics Practical Session starting at 3 pm, and thus I couldn't watch the knock on my TV or laptop either. Thus it unfortunately became impossible for me to keep up with the live updates.

At around 2:30 pm, my friends texted me again saying that Viru crossed the 200 run mark. My excitement was over the moon, and I requested my professors for a reschedule, but sadly that could not happen and I missed most part of that inning. Later, when I got another message saying that Viru reached 250, I simply stopped worrying about my Physics Session and the consequences of leaving it mid-way. I packed my bag and boarded the next bus home to watch the rest of his inning on television. All my efforts went in vain as by the time I reached home, the last over of the day was in progress. Rahul Dravid was facing the second last delivery of the day and the bowler was Muttiah Muralitharan. In a span of 2 minutes, the day was over and I was really sad that I couldn't see Sehwag playing this amazing knock. But I was extremely happy as Sehwag would resume the next day on 286, just 14 runs short of his third triple century (would have been the first person in cricket history to do so).

And now I had to make a decision which back then felt like the toughest one I ever made. I simply could not miss the chance of watching Viru reach this record-breaking milestone! So, the next day, I decided to bunk my Chemistry practical session too, arranged for tickets, and went to the stadium to watch the game. Accompanying me were my three other friends, Anmol (a huge fan of Rahul Dravid), Yogesh (likes cricket in general but also preferred watch Gautam Gambhir play), and Samkit (just has some interest in cricket). The game started and I was super nervous. Sehwag needed just 14 runs to reach his third triple century, something that no other player ever achieved in cricketing history!!! The day begun with Rangana Herath bowling the first over, and to everyone's surprise, Rahul Dravid hit a six over long on (rare and special sight in test cricket) in the very first over! My friend Anmol was ecstatic and rightfully so.

A few minutes later, unfortunately, Sehwag missed out on his third triple ton! He was caught and bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan. I was very upset and teary-eyed, and the rest of the day was a tough one for me.

After the end of the day's play, I decided to go and meet Viru, and Anmol wanted to meet Dravid. The security was strict and they did not allow us to move in. However, we managed to meet Tillakartne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Ajantha Mendis, and Lasith Malinga from the Sri Lankan team. Team India had gone back to the hotel.

I was feeling quite emotional as Viru had missed out on the triple and also because I wanted to meet him but could not. Then, I saw Neo Cricket's presenter, Archana Vijaya, shooting for a post match segment along the boundary line. I knew her as we had few conversations in the past on her Facebook page. I somehow sneaked through the security and to go and meet her. She was really kind and was happy to meet us. I asked for an autograph, took a picture with her, and asked if she could help me meet Viru and Anmol meet Dravid. She said yes, and asked us to come to the stadium early next morning.

Anmol and I reached the stadium around 8:30 am the next day. Archana Vijaya saw us and asked the security to allow us in. Then, at first, she arranged for my meeting with Viru. The producer of Neo Cricket escorted me past the security and took me to meet my idol, Virender Sehwag!!!! What a moment this was for me! The moment of my life. The security was not happy with me entering the the ground and wanted me to leave at the earliest. For this reason, I could meet Sehwag for merely about 10 seconds. I managed to take his autograph, but was so shocked in the moment that I couldn't even ask for a picture! I was stunned. And speechless. And shocked. Honestly, I cannot put it into words!

Those 10 seconds will surely by one of the best 10 seconds of my life.

Enjoy some snaps folks....

When I met Archana Vijaya

Archana Vijaya's Autograph

Virender Sehwag's Autograph

A photo which I made for Sehwag