His home State Association DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) haven’t yet named a stand after him at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground, but Virender Sehwag’s alma mater Jamia Millia Islamia University has already paid tribute to their illustrious ex-student by naming a pavilion after him.
The pavilion at the far end of the Jamia Millia Islamia Sports Complex has been named Virender Sehwag Pavilion after the Nawab of Najafgarh.
“Viru enrolled for the BA (General) Programme in JMI way back in 1999. However, due to his cricketing commitments he had to give it up in the second year and could complete it only in 2004. This pavilion was built before the 2010 Commonwealth Games as it was one of the practice venues for Table Tennis,” informs JMI’s Director of Sports Noor Mohammed, who also doubles up as the curator.
“Later in 2011, we decided to rename it as Virender Sehwag Pavilion after our famous student, who has made the country proud,” he added.
Mohammed recalled those days when young Viru would come for training at this ground.
“He played in the Inter-University tournament after returning from U-19 World Cup in South Africa. Not many India U-19 players would play for their university team. I am still in touch with him. He has remained as humble as he was during his college days. Even after achieving so much, there is still not a trace of arrogance in him,” Mohammed said, adding, “He still drops in sometime and stays back for long hours giving tips to the boys.”
The boys are of course very happy with the move. Those aspiring to become national-level cricket players one day, especially, say this is a big motivation for them.
“I have been playing cricket for many years now and have participated in major inter-university tournaments. I hope to play for India one day. It is heartening to see my idol and senior Virender Sehwag being honoured like this. It gives me hope that if I work hard, I might just find a pavilion in my varsity named after me,” said Asif Turki, a student.