Mumbai, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has recalled his first encounter with Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar, revealing how the fast bowler sledged him during his debut match in 1999. Sehwag shared the anecdote on the streaming reality show Rise and Fall while addressing the escalating feud between contestants Gautam Gulati and Manish Kashyap.
Drawing on experiences from his own cricketing career and his upbringing in Delhi’s Najafgarh, Sehwag urged the contestants to focus on their performance rather than resorting to provocation and threats.
Recalling his first meeting with Akhtar on the cricket field, Sehwag said the Pakistani fast bowler verbally abused him as he walked alongside him towards the crease.
“1999 mein pehle match khel raha tha mein 20 saal ka ladka tha aur ground mein jab maine kadam rakha toh Shoaib Akhtar mujhe gaali deta hua leke gaya crease tak chhod ke aaya,” Sehwag said, explaining that he was a 20-year-old playing his first match when Akhtar accompanied him to the crease while cursing at him.
Sehwag said the experience strengthened his resolve to respond through his batting rather than engage in verbal exchanges. He recalled deciding that if he got another opportunity to play against Pakistan, he would perform so well that he would not need to respond to the sledging.
“Lekin mujhe yeh laga ke agar mein dobaara Pakistan ke khilaf khela toh mein inki aisi pitai karunga ke mujhe gaali nahi dene paade toh maine 309 run banaye, toh mere balle ne saari talking ki,” he said.
Sehwag’s remarks came as the dispute between Gautam Gulati and Manish Kashyap reignited during the show’s Power Play segment. Questioning the language and threats used in the argument, Sehwag asked Manish what had prompted him to say, “goli chal jaayegi”.
Sehwag also spoke about his roots in Najafgarh, an area of Delhi that has frequently featured in crime-related headlines. He said he had never used his background to intimidate others or made it an excuse for his behaviour during his cricketing career.
“Aapko pata hai main kaha se aata hoon? Main Delhi mein ek chhota sa kasba hai uska naam hai Najafgarh. Najafgarh famous pata hai kiske liye hai, Najafgarh mein lakhbag 100 gaon hai jinke 100 gaon mein 50 gaon mein sirf gangsters hain,” he said.
Referring to past headlines about gang-related violence in the area, Sehwag said he had never publicly invoked Najafgarh’s reputation or claimed that he came from a place where bullets were fired.
His message to the contestants reflected the approach he said he had followed throughout his career: actions and performance should speak louder than words or threats.
Produced by Banijay Asia, Season 2 of Rise and Fall is streaming on Prime Video.
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