Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag recently picked the special Indian player who could be the crowd-puller in Test cricket like the former Indian captain Virat Kohli. 

Virat Kohli, who is now active only in the ODI format after retiring from the T20I and Test cricket, is known as a crowd-puller in modern-day cricket, including in Test cricket. Not only in Test cricket, while Kohli recently returned to Ranji Trophy last season, and more than 12000 people were present, which is completely unusual in Indian domestic cricket. 

It's Rishabh Pant: Virender Sehwag on Indian Test cricket crowd-puller

Virender Sehwag was himself a popular crowd-puller in Indian Test cricket, as his natural fearless batting in every format, including in Test cricket, was loved by every cricket fan. In a recent interview, Sehwag recently admitted that the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, the new Indian Test vice-captain, is a crowd-puller in modern-day Test cricket. 

Sehwag told Cricbuzz, "After Virat Kohli, if there's one cricketer who can bring people to the stadium to watch Test cricket, it's Rishabh Pant."

[WATCH] IPL 2025: Virat Kohli asks Zaheer Khan about his son ahead of RCB vs LSG game

Rishabh Pant already recorded 4 away Test centuries

Rishabh Pant is truly a crowd-puller in Test cricket. His aggressive batting is an asset, along with his continuously growing wicket-keeping skills. Whether he is at home or away, Pant is always dangerous with his bat in Test cricket, as the opposition bowlers never feel comfortable when he is in the crease, just like we always saw the former Indian opener Sehwag. The left-handed batter has recorded six Test centuries, the joint most by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, and 15 more half-centuries in 75 Test innings, including four away Test centuries and two home Test centuries.  

Pant is now the most expensive cricketer in IPL history, while Lucknow Super Giants won his bid in the IPL 2025 auction for INR 27 crore. He is the present captain of the IPL side, and it is just a picture of his value in cricket. 

Wisden, the cricketing authority, released its list of the top six greatest Indian Test batters of all time on May 12, 2025, in the aftermath of Virat Kohli’s Test retirement, sparking discussions among fans and analysts. The list recognizes India's illustrious Test cricket batting history and highlights players who have played a defining role in the format with their skill, tenacity, and remarkable achievements. With years of consistency and match-winning performances, each of the six batters stamped their mark in the shortest format of Test cricket everywhere they went.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Leading the list is Sachin Tendulkar, with his 15,921 Test runs in 200 matches at an average of 53.78 that stand unrivalled. Wisden points to his unmatched consistency over a period of 24 years, although he never reached 500 runs in a series or 250 in an innings. Tendulkar's 51 centuries and his ability to overpower attacks across the globe seal his place as India's greatest Test batsman.

2. Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar, with 10,122 runs in 125 Tests, comes second, renowned for his technical wizardry against aggressive pace attacks of the 1970s and 80s. He was the first player to cross the 10,000-run barrier in Tests, an achievement recognized by the BCCI by naming a boardroom '10000 Gavaskar' on May 15, 2025. Gavaskar's 34 centuries and away performances make him an Indian batting trailblazer.

3. Rahul Dravid

Nicknamed 'The Wall,' Rahul Dravid is placed third with 13,288 runs in 164 Tests at an average of 52.31. His marathon innings, like the 270 against Pakistan in 2004, and his performances in India's overseas wins, like the 2001 Kolkata Test, are what set him apart as great. 36 centuries and his unflappable temperament saw him become unstoppable.

4. Virat Kohli

Who retired from Tests on May 12, 2025? He is fourth overall with 9,906 runs in 123 Tests, with 30 centuries. From 2016 to 2019, Kohli was at his peak, made seven double centuries, and was the top batsman in the ICC Test rankings. Kohli was instrumental in changing India's Test fortunes overseas and played an aggressive style of Test cricket and led India to overseas success.

Also Read: List of Mumbai players honored with named stands at Wankhede stadium

5. VVS Laxman

Fifth on the list is VVS Laxman, whose 281 in Kolkata against Australia in 2001 isfrequently consideredy India's greatest Test innings. Laxman scored 8,781 runs in 134 Tests, and his wristy class plagued bowlers, most notably Australia. Hisstandsd with Dravid, particularly in comeback victories, are legendary.

Virender Sehwag

Finally, Sehwag rounds out this list with 8,586 runs in 104 Tests, playing a fearless, attacking game. His 319 against Pakistan in 2008, plus two other triple-centuries, demonstrate his dominance and his ability to redefine the Test opening batting role. With an 82.23 strike rate, Sehwag added an extra dimension to India's game when it came to playing Tests.

Former Indian cricketer and father of the legendary T20 and ODI World Cup-winning Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, Yograj Singh, feels that Rohit Sharma retired too early, like the former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.

Rohit Sharma isn't only a great Indian batter but also one of the greatest captains. He is the only captain to lead a team in all formats of ICC tournament finals. Apart from finishing as the runners-up in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, Rohit Sharma-led India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.   

The greatest players should play till 50 years of age: Yograj Singh

Starting his international career as a middle-order batter, Rohit established himself as one of the greatest Indian openers in every format. He has already retired from T20I and Test cricket, and is only active in the ODI format as a captain. While Rohit recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, just before the beginning of India's tour of England, Yograj Singh feels that Rohit and Virender Sehwag should play more international cricket, as they retired earlier despite being the greatest players.

Yograj told ANI, "Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag are two people who retired too early. The greatest players should play till 50 years of age. I'm sad about their retirement, as no one is left to motivate the youngsters now."

See Also: Mohammed Shami replies to fake narrative of him retiring from Test cricket

Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag retired after 37 

While Rohit has retired from T20I and Test cricket at the ages of 37 and 38 years, respectively, Sehwag announced his retirement from the game on his 37th birthday. However, unlike the Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Sehwag was already out of the Indian team for more than two years during his retirement from international cricket. 

Rohit and Sehwag both are known for their aggressive batting approaches, which Rohit modified massively lately, while Sehwag had the natural fearless character. At the end of their Test retirement, Sehwag (90 sixes) and Rohit (88 sixes) are standing in the top two positions in the list of most Test sixes by Indians.  

Wednesday (May 7, 2025) starts with impactful news— India strikes again. This time, Operation Sindoor. The Indian Air Force destroyed 9 militant locations, including in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Netizens are describing their emotions on their social media accounts regarding this incident. India replied back after the barbarian terror attack in Pahalgaon, which took 25 Indian civilian lives.

It was almost obvious that the Indian government would reply, but how and when were the questions around the common man. Operation Sindoor is now a trending topic on social media platforms. Cricket personalities are also sharing their thoughts.

Read More: PSL players in fear after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terrorists

Former cricketer Virendra Sehwag, from his 'X' (formerly known as Twitter), said, "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshata... Jai Hind ki Sena." Team India coach and former India international Gautam Gambhir said, "Jai Hind." "Together we stand. Jai Hind," said former cricketer turned cricket expert Aakash Chopra. Former cricketer Suresh Raina put the "Operation Sindoor" image on his Instagram story. Star Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy has done the same, posting an "Operation Sindoor" poster on his Instagram story.

Reaction from Sachin Tendulkar 

Sachin Tendulkar's Instagram post about Operation Sindoor 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/8mOllc4ELQ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 7, 2025

Shikhar Dhawan said

India takes a stand against terrorism. भारत माता की जय! 🇮🇳

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 7, 2025

Check what Virendra Sehwag said

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshata

Jai Hind ki Sena 🙏🏼#OperationSindoor

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 7, 2025

This is what Gautam Gambhir wrote

Jai Hind! 🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/dTN5Cm8yiX

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 7, 2025

Varun Chakravarthy's Instagram story

Varun Chakravarthy's Instagram story for Operation Sindoor. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/vu1ewQrwEO

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 7, 2025

Suresh Raina's instagram story 

Instagram story of Suresh Raina for Operation Sindoor 🤝 pic.twitter.com/PXcOL90cCY

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 7, 2025

Aakash Chopra's reaction on Operation Sindoor 

Together we stand. Jai Hind 🫡 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/sZZhBm9O0L

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 6, 2025

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has once again grabbed headlines with his blunt remarks, this time targeting the performances of certain overseas players in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Known for never holding back, Sehwag questioned the intent and seriousness of some foreign cricketers, claiming that many of them seem to treat the tournament as a vacation rather than a professional commitment.

In a recent interaction with Cricbuzz, Sehwag specifically called out two high-profile names — Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone. According to him, these big-hitters, who fetch hefty paychecks during the auction, have failed to justify their price tags. Maxwell, playing for Punjab, has managed to score only 41 runs in 6 matches with a strike rate of just 100, far below the expectations set for a player of his caliber.

Livingstone, on the other hand, was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a staggering ₹8.75 crore. However, he too has underwhelmed, scoring only 87 runs in 7 games. Sehwag didn’t shy away from criticizing their lack of impact, suggesting that their lackluster displays raise questions about their dedication to the tournament.

ALSO SEE: Cricket fraternity unites to slam Pahalgam attack – Powerful stand against terror

Only three players play with heart: Sehwag

On a positive note, Sehwag appreciated three overseas players who, according to him, always played for their IPL franchises with their full dedication. AB de Villiers, David Warner, and Glenn McGrath were the names he counted among the most committed overseas cricketers he had observed. He said that these players played with utmost passion and gave their best in every game. “I have seen only 3 foreign players who play with all their heart for their IPL team. They give their everything to make their team win,” Sehwag said.

Virender Sehwag said - "I have seen Only 3 foreign players who play with all their heart for their IPL team. They give their everything to make their team win. Those 3 players are Ab De Villiers, David Warner& Glenn McGrath. They give their heart & soul to their team".(Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/OsTNCSQICT

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 22, 2025

Having played for Delhi Daredevils and Punjab during his IPL career, Sehwag said his views come from personal experiences. He noted that while many foreign players enjoy the IPL platform, only a few are truly committed to helping their teams succeed. His message to IPL teams was clear: focus not just on big names or price tags, but on players who show real commitment. Ultimately, it’s not just talent, but passion and effort that make the difference.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has come down heavily on overseas stars Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone for their underwhelming performances in IPL 2025. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag lashed out at the overseas players Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone for their poor show in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

In the 18th edition of the tournament, Maxwell has been representing Punjab Kings (PBKS). While, Livingstone has been playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). During the 37th match of the IPL 2025 between PBKS and RCB, both overseas players were missing from their respective franchises' playing eleven.

Also Read:-IPL 2025: Why is Dewald Brevis not playing in CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match 38?

They Arrive, Have Their Fun, And Leave: Virender Sehwag

While speaking on Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag slammed the two overseas players and said that they come to India for a holiday and not to play cricket. He made a big statement, saying that players like Maxwell and Livingstone come to India and leave after having fun. He added that there no visible desire to fight from the two players.

“I feel like Maxwell and Livingstone’s hunger is gone. Yeh yaha holiday manane aate hai (they just come here for a holiday). They arrive, have their fun, and leave. There's no visible desire to fight for the team,” Sehwag said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

“I’ve spent time with a lot of former players, but only 1 or 2 really gave me the feeling that, ‘Yes, I genuinely want to do something for the team',” he added.

During the match between RCB and PBKS, the Bengaluru based franchise clinched a seven-wicket triumph over PBKS on Sunday, April 20th. Following the win, RCB hold this place on IPL 2025 standings with 10 points and have a net run rate of +0.472. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings stand in the fourth position with 10 points and have a net run rate of +0.177.

Virender Sehwag Jokes About RCB Despite Their Strong StartFormer Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is known for speaking his mind without holding back. Recently, he took a playful dig at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) even though they have started the season well. Sehwag jokingly called them "poor" and suggested they take a picture of themselves leading the points table, as he felt it might not last long.

Sehwag's Light-Hearted Comment on RCBDuring a chat on Cricbuzz, Sehwag called RCB "poor," but he clarified that he was referring to their lack of IPL trophies, not their financial status."Let the poor guys stay on top for a while and take a picture of it. Not sure how long they will remain there," Sehwag joked while speaking alongside former cricketer Manoj Tiwary. When asked if he meant their record in the IPL, Sehwag confirmed, " Exactly. Every franchise is rich in terms of money. They earn around 500 crores in profit.

I called them poor because they haven't won a trophy yet. Many people misunderstand what I say. RCB’s Impressive Start to the SeasonRCB is currently at the top of the points table after winning both of their matches convincingly.

Virendra Sehwag trolled both Kohli and RCB at the same time😹😭🤣

pic.twitter.com/Z7lfkbHdbP

— Gillfied⁷ (@Gill_Iss) March 31, 2025

These strong performances have given them a big boost in Net Run Rate. In their first match, RCB defeated Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens by seven wickets, which was a big confidence booster. They continued their winning streak by beating Chennai Super Kings with a massive 50-run margin after setting a strong total while batting first.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025 : Ashwani Kumar Marks IPL Debut with Key Wicket of Ajinkya Rahane

Both wins have come in other ground games not in their home ground, which is a positive sign. Now, they will return to Bengaluru for their first home game against Gujarat Titans on April 2. RCB’s Long Wait for an IPL Trophy Despite being in the IPL since the beginning, RCB is still waiting to win their first title. They have come close three times to get their maiden title, reaching the final in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but they lost in all matches.

RCB, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings are the only teams who playing from starting from the ipl but have never won the trophy. Lucknow Super Giants, who joined in 2022, are also yet to claim a trophy.RCB fans are hopeful that this could finally be their year. Only time will tell if they can break their long title drought.

Winning or losing is all part of cricket. But how a team performs, how a team outclasses, that matters the most at the end of the day. Last night (March 28), at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings despite a stormy innings by MS Dhoni, who bagged 30 runs by playing only 16 balls. 

Read More: IPL 2025, Match 9: GT vs MI Dream11 Top Captain And Vice-captain Choices

It could be a radiant moment for Mahi fans if Chennai Super Kings were in a position to come first in. Dhoni, who single-handedly finished numerous matches with style throughout his well-decorated career, came into the crease as a number 9 batter the previous night. It was hard to witness Dhoni batting at number 9. 

Former cricketer and a former teammate of MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, could not stop himself from trolling the former India and CSK skipper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is now 43, has made a couple of lightning-fast stumpings in the IPL 2025 already, one against RCB. When CSK lost 6 wickets only for 80 runs while chasing RCB's 196, proving everyone wrong, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who came out of the dressing room to bat before MS Dhoni at number 8. Ashwin, with only 11 runs, went back to the pavilion, and then Dhoni stepped in as the number 9 batter. 

After the RCB vs CSK match, Virender Sehwag said during an interaction session, 'Didn't he come too early? It was the 16th over of the match. Naturally, he batted during the 19th or 20th over'. It seems that a question transcends many other questions related to the match: 'Should Dhoni now retire?'

Batting first, Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 196 for 7 wickets, where the skipper Rajat Patidar himself played a half-century innings (51 runs off 32 balls). Virat Kohli (31 runs, 30 balls) played an anchor role at the top order to solidify the innings, and Phil Salt faced 16 balls to play a quick 32-run innings. At the lower middle order, the Australian all-rounder Tim David (22 runs against 8 balls) was the catalyst to push the total to 196 runs by smashing a hat trick of over boundaries. The Afghan spin wizard took 3 wickets for the Chennai Super Kings. 

On the contrary, it was a series of comings and goings for CSK's top and middle order batters except Rachin Ravindra, who played 31 balls and scored 41 runs. After Ravindra, MS Dhoni was the second top run getter with an unbeaten 30 runs for the team. Losing wickets at regular intervals spread CSK thin to score 146/8 in 20 overs and allowed RCB to get a 50-run win. 

Dhoni deserve all this trolling

If he can't bat then he should retire. Sending Ashwin ahead of him when his is heading towards a most humiliating defeat against your rival is shameful move. #CSKvsRCB pic.twitter.com/2i2LbolSCb

— 👑Che_ಕೃಷ್ಣ🇮🇳💛❤️ (@ChekrishnaCk) March 29, 2025

Young wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has shared his top 5 opening batsmen whom he would like to partner with the opening stand in the IPL. These are some of the cricket's all-time greats, and Ishan has huge admiration for all of them.

1. Virender Sehwag: With his aggressive batting style, Sehwag's bold attitude would make him a thrilling opening partner. Ishan likes Sehwag's capability to attack bowlers from the beginning.

2. Sachin Tendulkar: The "Master Blaster" is arguably the greatest cricketer of all time.Ishan would love to start with Sachin, watching his style and the calmness he possesses in the game.

Ishan Kishan's Top 5 Openers in IPL, He would love to Open with:

- Virendra Sehwag.
- Sachin Tendulkar.
- Rohit Sharma.
- Shubman Gill.
- Abhishek Sharma. pic.twitter.com/H3pu0e0nb7

— Sports Culture (@SportsCulture24) March 26, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: Swastik Chikara Talks About Virat Kohli & Casually Checks His Bag

3. Rohit Sharma: Being one of the most successful captains and openers in the history of IPL, Rohit Sharma is a player Ishan looks up to. His pairing with Ishan would be a great combination of experience and youth.

4. Shubman Gill: Young and gifted as an opener, Shubman Gill's cool and aggressive temperament would be an ideal partner for Ishan in the top order.

5. Abhishek Sharma: With loads of potential and a talented young player, Abhishek Sharma's attacking approach would balance Ishan's game and prove to be a superb opening duo.

These 5 openers are all geniuses and would bring their special kind of playing style to the IPL For Ishan Kish

India has won numerous ICC trophies in the past, with some players giving excellent performances at the right time.

The players who received the most Man of the Match awards during each winning campaign:

1983: Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath was a crucial member of India's historic World Cup victory. He received two Man of the Match awards, one for the semi-final against England and another for the final against West Indies. His all-round play, providing important wickets and solid batting, assisted India in capturing the trophy.

2002: Virender Sehwag

India co-shared the Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002, and Virender Sehwag was one of the stars of the tournament. He received two Man of the Match awards for his explosive batting and effective bowing contributions.

ALSO SEE: Players With Most Sixes In Champions Trophy 2025

2007: Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh played a major role in India's success in the first T20 World Cup. He received two Man of the Match awards, both for one against England when he hit six sixes in an over and the second for his aggressive knock against Australia in the semi-final.

2011:Yuvraj Singh

The 2011 World Cup was ruled by Yuvraj Singh, who collected four Man of the Match awards. He scored important innings with the bat and also chipped in with the ball, thus becoming the pillar of India's campaign. His all-round excellence guided India to lift the trophy after 28 years.

2013:Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was one of the star performers in India's 2013 Champions Trophy victory. He secured two Man of the Match awards for his all-round performances, including match-winning bowling efforts and aggressive lower-order hitting.

2024: Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was the match-winner for India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He secured two Man of the Match awards for his superb bowling performances, contributing significantly to India's victory.

2025:Virat Kohli

One of the all-time great batsmen, Virat Kohli once again rose to the occasion in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He earned two Man of the Match awards to establish himself as a player who can perform under pressure and took India to another ICC title.

From Mohinder Amarnath in 1983 to Virat Kohli in 2025, each ICC victory has been crafted by the players who played when it counted. With additional tournaments in store, people can't help but wait for the next big star who will lead India to victory.