‘Virender Sehwag used to hit world-class Pakistan bowlers': Ishan Kishan wants to emulate legendary opener

Virender Sehwag definitely set a template for attacking batting and continues to impress the youngsters from the current batch.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag was a nightmare for opposition bowlers, if they failed to pack him early. The longer the right-handed batter stood at the crease, he would impose a threat on the opposition with his destructive batting. Sehwag, unlike the modern era cricketers didn't opt for unorthodox shots, but his drives on both sides of the wicket still remains a marvelous sight to linger on.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag (R)

Sehwag definitely set a template for attacking batting and continues to impress the youngsters from the current batch. One among the many is Ishan Kishan, who recently became the only fourth Indian cricketer to smash a double ton in ODIs.

Ishan achieved in the feat against Bangladesh last month, as he smashed 210 off 131 balls, which included 24 boundaries and 10 maximums. The epic knock by Ishan also saw him join an elite list comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag, Rohit Sharma.

While Ishan was not considered for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, the wicketkeeper-batter is eager to repeat his heroics and this time he wants to emulate Sehwag while doing so. The ex-cricketer was renowned for reaching milestone with sixes as he did it against Pakistan in the famous Multan Test in 2004, where he also became the first Indian batter to smash 300 runs in Test.

"Whenever I watch old highlights, I love watching Virender Sehwag play, the way he used to hit the bowlers. Because he used to play at a time when Pakistan had world class pacers, and his boundaries were something that I loved watching the most.

“I didn't reach my double century against Bangladesh with a six but if I ever find myself in the same situation then I'll try to reach the next double century with a six,” said Ishan in an interview with senior cricket journalist Vimal Kumar.