When Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar resumed their innings on the second day of the first Test between India and Pakistan at the Multan cricket ground, Viru was not out 228. His mother Krishna Sehwag's heart was beating hard. His father Kishan Kumar and other members of the family were tense.
Mrs Sehwag had spoken to her son the previous night and asked him to take a good night's rest and go for 300. In an exclusive interview, conducted in Hindi by Chief Correspondent Onkar Singh at her Laxmi Garden residence in Najafgarh on the Delhi-Haryana border, she said she was overjoyed when her son reached the mark with a huge six. "I and other members of the family were naturally delighted," the happy mother said. Her answers were brief and straight from the heart:
Did you feel that Virender would reach 300 when he finished on 228 on the first day?
The way he played on the first day did evoke that confidence in me. But this is one game where anything can happen on the next ball. Frankly, I wanted him to reach this milestone, but it is difficult to say what happens next.
At the end of the first day I expected him to play slowly and inch towards his goal. Something within me said he would do well and break the record.
And when he did reach that landmark, what was your immediate feeling?
As a mother I thanked him for making us proud. It was a great feeling. Right from the morning our house was packed with people and journalists who wanted to be with us when he reached the coveted figure. Everyone was leaping up and celebrating. I was a bit disappointed that he got out soon after scoring 300.
Why?
Because I wanted him to carry on and break the world record of 380 held by the Australian [Matthew Hayden]. Maybe uparwala yehi chahata tha [God did not will it]. But whatever he did was brilliant.
Are you happy?
Of course I am happy. I was delighted. That is all I can say.
Your son is breaking one record after another. Where do you think he is heading on the cricket field?
How can I say what he is going to achieve in the years to come? Yeh wohi karega jo Bhagwan karwayega [He will achieve whatever God wants him to]. He is making sincere efforts. He is a dedicated boy and is toiling hard to achieve milestone after milestone.
When he started playing cricket, did you ever imagine that he would go this far?
No, I had never dreamt that he would become one of the top players of the Indian team. From Day 1 his heart was in cricket and he wanted to be like Sachin Tendulkar. He played other games as well like other children. But cricket was his passion.
How do you feel when you see him playing with Sachin Tendulkar?
When I see the two of them playing together, I feel as if twin brothers are playing the game. It was his dream to play with Sachin and God has fulfilled his dream. He feels happy when he is playing with his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. He likes Sachin Tendulkar and is always talking about him.
Did you speak to him after he finished the day on 228? What did you tell him?
Yes, I spoke to him on Sunday night. I told him that he had done a splendid job. He said Ma, I am happy for you. Then I asked him to play slowly and reach 300 and he said he would do that. He kept his word and I thank him for that.
Do you feel that his wife-to-be is proving lucky for him?
Undoubtedly she is proving lucky. After all she too has her share of luck. He has done well after his engagement. He has made a beginning and I am confident that in the days to come many more records will be broken by him.
There is a picture in your house showing Sachin and Sehwag with boxing gloves.
This picture was taken last year. Viru loves this picture and hence it adorns our drawing room.
Has Sachin Tendulkar visited this house?
I am looking forward to the day when Sachin will come to my house. So far I have only spoken to him on the phone.
Whenever Sachin speaks about Viru, I feel happy. He has told me many times that Viru is a great cricketer and has a bright future. That is enough for me, because it is coming from the mouth of Sachin Tendulkar.
When Sehwag does not do well what do you do?
I give up all work and watch my son playing cricket. When he gets out cheaply I feel restless and switch off the television and do other work. I often wonder why he got out so soon. But that is cricket, I guess. Sometimes you score and sometimes you don't.
