Virendra Sehwag is all set for IPL

MCC's Virender Sehwag en route his 97-ball 109 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images

Swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag on Saturday expressed his wish to make his presence felt for Kings XI Punjab team in the upcoming Indian Premier League starting April 16 in Dubai.


MCC's Virender Sehwag en route his 97-ball 109 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images

"I am watching all the matches of the ICC World Twenty20 and I am getting ready for the IPL," he said.

Earlier in the week, the India opener scored an 97-ball 109 to help Marylebone Cricket Club register a six-wicket win over English county side Durham in Abu Dhabi. The 35-year-old's knock was laced with 18 fours and a six.

"After returning from Abu Dhabi, I slept a lot. I feel refreshed. The hundred in Abu Dhabi gave me a lot of confidence. That doesn't mean I was low in confidence, but things were just not happening for me (referring to low scores on the Indian domestic circuit).

"I can tell you that if I get a loose delivery first up I will not hesitate to hit it. I am the same Virender Sehwag," he said. Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of his triple century against Pakistan in the 2004 Multan Test.

Sehwag was grateful to this correspondent for remembering his feat which made him India's first Test triple centurion. "Thank you for remembering the Multan innings. The feat is not mine, it is India's," he said while displaying his patriotic side.

"I have seen at least 1000 videos of that particular innings. I cannot forget two dates - March 29 and April 22 (the day I got married). I feel proud to have scored the first Test triple century for India.

It was a rare moment. I had three big partnerships but the special one was 336 with Sachin Tendulkar. After I completed my double century, Sachin came to me and said, 'You are not tired… go for the triple century.'

Viru's best moment
"The best moment was when I hit Saqlain Mushtaq for a six between midwicket and mid on to go from 295 to 301. I cannot forget that moment. The dream…. the joy…I just cannot believe that 10 years have passed.

Although I scored another triple century (319 vs South Africa on March 28 2008) the Multan one is the knock I will cherish the most because it was my first triple Test century. I also cherish my debut Test century against South Africa at Bloemfontein in 2001."