“Tell Your Coach Not to Come Near Me” – Sehwag Reveals Clash with Greg Chappell

Virender Sehwag is remembered as one of the most fearless and destructive openers in Indian cricket history, but his career was not without challenges, especially during the period when Greg Chappell was India’s head coach. Chappell, who remains one of the most controversial figures in Indian cricket, was infamous for his constant chopping and changing of the team line-ups and playing combinations, which unsettled many players in the dressing room. While Chappell’s tenure was filled with tension and disputes, Sehwag recently revisited one particular incident that highlighted the conflict between the players and the coach.

Sehwag recalled that Chappell had once threatened to drop him from the team if he did not follow his instructions or score runs. At the time, Sehwag was already an established player with a record that spoke for itself, but the coach’s words cut deep. Sehwag revealed that Chappell had told him, “If you don’t move your feet, you won’t score runs.” To this, Sehwag responded confidently, reminding him that he had already scored more than 6,000 runs in international cricket with an average above 50. However, Chappell dismissed his achievements and continued to pressure him. The argument grew so heated that Rahul Dravid, who was the captain then, had to step in and mediate before the situation got out of hand.

The tension did not end there. Before Sehwag walked out to bat, Chappell gave him a final warning: “Score runs, or I’ll drop you.” The challenge only motivated Sehwag further. True to his fearless style, he went on to smash 184 runs by the end of the second session, silencing his critics in the best way possible—through his batting. After the innings, Sehwag jokingly told Rahul Dravid, “Tell your coach not to come near me.” This incident has now become one of the most talked-about examples of the strained relationship between Greg Chappell and the Indian players of that era.

Looking at Sehwag’s career, it is clear why he was in a position to stand up for himself. He remains one of India’s most successful Test openers, having scored 8,586 runs in just 104 Test matches at an astonishing strike rate and a remarkable average of 49.34. Known for his fearless batting, he made 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries, often putting opposition bowlers under pressure right from the very first ball of the innings. Unlike most traditional openers, Sehwag never believed in settling down slowly—his aggressive approach often gave India flying starts in Test cricket. He also holds the unique distinction of scoring two triple centuries and four double hundreds in Test cricket, the most by any Indian batsman. These achievements underline his ability to dominate even the best bowling attacks in the world.

Even after retirement, Sehwag has continued to remain an influential figure in cricket. He has built a strong presence as a commentator and analyst, sharing his insights and witty takes during major cricket tournaments across the globe. Fans admire his honest and humorous style of commentary, which often reflects the same fearless attitude he displayed on the field. Apart from commentary, Sehwag also stepped into coaching, serving as a mentor and coach for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the Indian Premier League during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Under his guidance, the team went through crucial phases with captains like Glenn Maxwell and Ravichandran Ashwin leading the side in those editions.

Now 46 years old, Sehwag continues to inspire cricket fans with his memories, stories, and contributions to the game. His clash with Greg Chappell is just one episode from a career filled with remarkable highs, fearless performances, and moments of pure brilliance. For Indian cricket, Sehwag will always be remembered as the man who redefined opening the batting, showing that aggression and confidence could be just as valuable as patience and defense in Test cricket.