Sports India

It all seemed so symbolic—-a silver chariot as a memento; over the years Madras Club has provided many chariots to youngsters to ride on their skills and reach their destination. One among them was sitting as a chief guest in their annual function at the Ferozeshah Kotla —-that very place where selectors first ignored his talent, until a messiah in Satish Sharma noticed, and Madras Club provided the platform.

If the world knows Virender Sehwag and his exploits with the bat today, it is because Satish Sharma urged him to join his club and promised justice to his talent, when he was disconsolate with failure. That was 1995; unfortunately Sharma didn’t live long to see 2006 and Sehwag’s rise in a decade

And for all myths attached with the Indian vice-captain, he hasn’t forgotten the path traveled. “What I am today is all because of Sharmaji and this club,” he said recalling “I wasn’t selected for Delhi under-19 team and then I joined his club. Frankly, I haven’t failed from that moment onwards and have achieved everything what I aspired for. I cannot forget their contribution. I am willing to help then in whatever they (Madras Club) need.”

Viru was not merely mincing words; and to surprise everyone he arrived half-an hour before the 5pm annual function and stealing a wink through the packed speeches of DDCA, Sehwag distributed the prizes and spared time to interact with players.