Birthday boy Sehwag talks about his son Aryaveer's love for cricket

It is a mere coincidence that the birthdays of son Aryaveer Sehwag and father Virender Sehwag are just a day apart. Today, the Nawab of Najafgarh turns 32.


Aryaveer (3) came back from playschool yesterday and asked his father why he was not greeted. Immediately, Sehwag asked him if he didn't get a nice car on his way back from school. That was his birthday gift!

In fact Sehwag's house, at Hauz Khas, received two new cars yesterday which he won on the tour to Sri Lanka, for winning the Man of the series award in both Tests and ODIs.

Quiet birthday
Asked how he was planning to celebrate his birthday today, the No1 Test batsman said with a smile: "It will be a quiet birthday. I'm planning to take the family out in the new car. Aryaveer has agreed to wait for the cake ceremony ufffd the plan is to celebrate our birthdays together."

Sehwag would have been part of the India ODI squad which takes on Australia in the second game at Vizag today, but his shoulder injury forced him to rest.

Sehwag revealed that his older son is taking to cricket with passion and determination. "Aryaveer's only intention is to play cricket. He has 25 bats in his possession. The maid at my house, my wife and every member of the house must bowl to him on a daily basis. He breaks lights and furniture when he bats, but we always forgive him (laughs).

"I want to give him the freedom to express himself. I don't mind if he breaks a lot of things as long as he enjoys the game."

Back from rehab
Sehwag was in Banglaore until Monday for rehabilitation on his shoulder. "I am confident of playing the Test series against New Zealand," he said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will fly in a specialist doctor from London for his treatment for which Sehwag will have to return to Chennai on Friday.

Sehwag and his brother Vinod are opening an academy in the district of Jhajjar. It will be a residential academy with Sehwag's childhood coach A N Sharma given the responsibility of handling operations.

"I will try my best to visit the academy over weekends. I am hopeful that India will get some good cricketers from my academy," he said.

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