India’s former explosive opening batsman Virender Sehwag feels sledging is a necessary part of cricket and there will be no enjoyment without it. However, sledging should not be personal and there should be a controlled aggression, opined the 38-year-old.
“Sledging is an important part of the game but you should never cross the line. However, if there’s no sledging, there won’t be any enjoyment left in the game,” Sehwag told India TV during an exclusive chat.
“You can sledge about somebody’s technique, bowling action or batting stance but it should not get personal,” he added.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is perhaps the most aggressive person you’ll ever find on the cricket field. He is pretty animated in his gestures and looks the opposition in the eyes and gives it back. Sehwag feels Kohli’s actions do count for sledging as he only reacts to the actions of the opposition.
“I think it is Virat Kohli’s aggression which comes out during his celebrations. You can’t call it sledging. And when somebody from the opposition sledges him, he gives it back and it is necessary to give it back. But I feel it should be controlled aggression,” he added.
Talking about giving it back to the opposition, Virender Sehwag was one of those who would never hold back if the opposition players were at him. He always had a thing or two to say and not only that, his bat did the talking massively too.
There have been plenty of stories of Sehwag getting involved with the opponents. He had a special liking for Pakistan and particularly, Shoaib Akhtar. Even after the retirement of the two from the game, Sehwag does not spare Akhtar. Whenever these two are on commentary together, the Nawab of Najafgarh keeps reminding the Rawalpindi Express of all the encounters where the former dominated.
