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Key Points

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has openly discussed how losing to Pakistan affected his mental game during his playing days. He revealed that defeats against arch-rivals Pakistan would make him lose concentration and temperament. Sehwag particularly recalled his spectacular 119-run innings in Karachi while fasting in 2008. The revelation comes just before India's highly anticipated Asia Cup clash against Pakistan on September 14.

Key Points: Sehwag Reveals Pakistan Losses Made Him Lose Temper Before Asia Cup

  • Sehwag played 42 matches against Pakistan with 50.65 average
  • Won 17 matches but lost 21 against arch-rivals Pakistan
  • Recalled famous 119-run knock in Karachi while fasting
  • India faces Pakistan in Asia Cup on September 14 in Abu Dhabi
2 min read

Former India opener Sehwag reveals losing against Pakistan makes him lose his cool

Virender Sehwag admits Pakistan defeats affected his temperament. The former opener recalls his famous 119-run knock while fasting ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash.

"Whenever you lose against Pakistan. So I would lose my concentration. I would lose my temperament and everything - Virender Sehwag"

New Delhi, September 6

Former flamboyant Indian opener Virender Sehwag revealed that losing against Pakistan made him lose his cool, as a new chapter in the heated rivalry is set to unfold between the two arch-rivals during the much-debated clash at the Asia Cup on September 14.

Sehwag has played some of his most destructive knocks against Pakistan's famed pace attacks while opening for India.

The 46-year-old made 42 matches and boasts an average of 50.65, but most of his outings have ended in defeat. He has won 17 and stood on the losing side 21 times, something that makes him lose his cool.

"Whenever you lose against Pakistan. So I would lose my concentration. I would lose my temperament and everything," Sehwag said in a video posted by Sony Sports Network on X.

When India last visited Pakistan in 2008, chaos ensued in Karachi when Sehwag stepped on the crease to gun down a daunting 300-run target. He pushed the accelerator button and walloped 119 from 95 deliveries at a rollicking strike rate of 125.26, laced with 12 boundaries and five towering maximums.

He singlehandedly did the majority of the work to pave India's way to a comfortable six-wicket victory with 47 balls to spare. Remarkably, Sehwag pulled off the remarkable spectacle while being on a fast.

"I was on a fast that day. On an empty stomach. I had to score runs to satisfy that hunger," Sehwag said while recalling that innings.

In the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup, India is placed in Group A alongside the UAE, Pakistan and Oman. India will begin its campaign on September 10 against the UAE. On September 14, India will square off against its arch-rival Pakistan and finish the group stage campaign against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

India squad for the Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh.

- ANI

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S
Sarah B
It's interesting how even great players feel the pressure of India-Pakistan matches. The mental aspect is just as important as skill in these high-stakes games.
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Priya S
That fasting innings story gives me goosebumps! Playing international cricket on empty stomach and smashing Pakistan bowlers - only Viru paaji could do that 😄
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Michael C
As a cricket fan, I appreciate his honesty. The India-Pakistan rivalry brings out raw emotions that even professionals struggle to contain sometimes.
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Aditya G
While I understand the sentiment, maybe we should focus more on enjoying the sport rather than making it about national pride. The pressure on current players must be immense.
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Nisha Z
Can't wait for Sept 14! Hope our current team plays with the same fearless approach that Sehwag showed. That's what we need against Pakistan 💪

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