Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has once again grabbed headlines with his blunt remarks, this time targeting the performances of certain overseas players in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Known for never holding back, Sehwag questioned the intent and seriousness of some foreign cricketers, claiming that many of them seem to treat the tournament as a vacation rather than a professional commitment.

In a recent interaction with Cricbuzz, Sehwag specifically called out two high-profile names — Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone. According to him, these big-hitters, who fetch hefty paychecks during the auction, have failed to justify their price tags. Maxwell, playing for Punjab, has managed to score only 41 runs in 6 matches with a strike rate of just 100, far below the expectations set for a player of his caliber.

Livingstone, on the other hand, was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a staggering ₹8.75 crore. However, he too has underwhelmed, scoring only 87 runs in 7 games. Sehwag didn’t shy away from criticizing their lack of impact, suggesting that their lackluster displays raise questions about their dedication to the tournament.

ALSO SEE: Cricket fraternity unites to slam Pahalgam attack – Powerful stand against terror

Only three players play with heart: Sehwag

On a positive note, Sehwag appreciated three overseas players who, according to him, always played for their IPL franchises with their full dedication. AB de Villiers, David Warner, and Glenn McGrath were the names he counted among the most committed overseas cricketers he had observed. He said that these players played with utmost passion and gave their best in every game. “I have seen only 3 foreign players who play with all their heart for their IPL team. They give their everything to make their team win,” Sehwag said.

Virender Sehwag said - "I have seen Only 3 foreign players who play with all their heart for their IPL team. They give their everything to make their team win. Those 3 players are Ab De Villiers, David Warner& Glenn McGrath. They give their heart & soul to their team".(Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/OsTNCSQICT

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 22, 2025

Having played for Delhi Daredevils and Punjab during his IPL career, Sehwag said his views come from personal experiences. He noted that while many foreign players enjoy the IPL platform, only a few are truly committed to helping their teams succeed. His message to IPL teams was clear: focus not just on big names or price tags, but on players who show real commitment. Ultimately, it’s not just talent, but passion and effort that make the difference.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has come down heavily on overseas stars Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone for their underwhelming performances in IPL 2025. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag lashed out at the overseas players Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone for their poor show in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

In the 18th edition of the tournament, Maxwell has been representing Punjab Kings (PBKS). While, Livingstone has been playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). During the 37th match of the IPL 2025 between PBKS and RCB, both overseas players were missing from their respective franchises' playing eleven.

Also Read:-IPL 2025: Why is Dewald Brevis not playing in CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match 38?

They Arrive, Have Their Fun, And Leave: Virender Sehwag

While speaking on Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag slammed the two overseas players and said that they come to India for a holiday and not to play cricket. He made a big statement, saying that players like Maxwell and Livingstone come to India and leave after having fun. He added that there no visible desire to fight from the two players.

“I feel like Maxwell and Livingstone’s hunger is gone. Yeh yaha holiday manane aate hai (they just come here for a holiday). They arrive, have their fun, and leave. There's no visible desire to fight for the team,” Sehwag said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

“I’ve spent time with a lot of former players, but only 1 or 2 really gave me the feeling that, ‘Yes, I genuinely want to do something for the team',” he added.

During the match between RCB and PBKS, the Bengaluru based franchise clinched a seven-wicket triumph over PBKS on Sunday, April 20th. Following the win, RCB hold this place on IPL 2025 standings with 10 points and have a net run rate of +0.472. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings stand in the fourth position with 10 points and have a net run rate of +0.177.

Virender Sehwag Jokes About RCB Despite Their Strong StartFormer Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is known for speaking his mind without holding back. Recently, he took a playful dig at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) even though they have started the season well. Sehwag jokingly called them "poor" and suggested they take a picture of themselves leading the points table, as he felt it might not last long.

Sehwag's Light-Hearted Comment on RCBDuring a chat on Cricbuzz, Sehwag called RCB "poor," but he clarified that he was referring to their lack of IPL trophies, not their financial status."Let the poor guys stay on top for a while and take a picture of it. Not sure how long they will remain there," Sehwag joked while speaking alongside former cricketer Manoj Tiwary. When asked if he meant their record in the IPL, Sehwag confirmed, " Exactly. Every franchise is rich in terms of money. They earn around 500 crores in profit.

I called them poor because they haven't won a trophy yet. Many people misunderstand what I say. RCB’s Impressive Start to the SeasonRCB is currently at the top of the points table after winning both of their matches convincingly.

Virendra Sehwag trolled both Kohli and RCB at the same time😹😭🤣

pic.twitter.com/Z7lfkbHdbP

— Gillfied⁷ (@Gill_Iss) March 31, 2025

These strong performances have given them a big boost in Net Run Rate. In their first match, RCB defeated Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens by seven wickets, which was a big confidence booster. They continued their winning streak by beating Chennai Super Kings with a massive 50-run margin after setting a strong total while batting first.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025 : Ashwani Kumar Marks IPL Debut with Key Wicket of Ajinkya Rahane

Both wins have come in other ground games not in their home ground, which is a positive sign. Now, they will return to Bengaluru for their first home game against Gujarat Titans on April 2. RCB’s Long Wait for an IPL Trophy Despite being in the IPL since the beginning, RCB is still waiting to win their first title. They have come close three times to get their maiden title, reaching the final in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but they lost in all matches.

RCB, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings are the only teams who playing from starting from the ipl but have never won the trophy. Lucknow Super Giants, who joined in 2022, are also yet to claim a trophy.RCB fans are hopeful that this could finally be their year. Only time will tell if they can break their long title drought.

Winning or losing is all part of cricket. But how a team performs, how a team outclasses, that matters the most at the end of the day. Last night (March 28), at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings despite a stormy innings by MS Dhoni, who bagged 30 runs by playing only 16 balls. 

Read More: IPL 2025, Match 9: GT vs MI Dream11 Top Captain And Vice-captain Choices

It could be a radiant moment for Mahi fans if Chennai Super Kings were in a position to come first in. Dhoni, who single-handedly finished numerous matches with style throughout his well-decorated career, came into the crease as a number 9 batter the previous night. It was hard to witness Dhoni batting at number 9. 

Former cricketer and a former teammate of MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, could not stop himself from trolling the former India and CSK skipper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is now 43, has made a couple of lightning-fast stumpings in the IPL 2025 already, one against RCB. When CSK lost 6 wickets only for 80 runs while chasing RCB's 196, proving everyone wrong, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who came out of the dressing room to bat before MS Dhoni at number 8. Ashwin, with only 11 runs, went back to the pavilion, and then Dhoni stepped in as the number 9 batter. 

After the RCB vs CSK match, Virender Sehwag said during an interaction session, 'Didn't he come too early? It was the 16th over of the match. Naturally, he batted during the 19th or 20th over'. It seems that a question transcends many other questions related to the match: 'Should Dhoni now retire?'

Batting first, Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 196 for 7 wickets, where the skipper Rajat Patidar himself played a half-century innings (51 runs off 32 balls). Virat Kohli (31 runs, 30 balls) played an anchor role at the top order to solidify the innings, and Phil Salt faced 16 balls to play a quick 32-run innings. At the lower middle order, the Australian all-rounder Tim David (22 runs against 8 balls) was the catalyst to push the total to 196 runs by smashing a hat trick of over boundaries. The Afghan spin wizard took 3 wickets for the Chennai Super Kings. 

On the contrary, it was a series of comings and goings for CSK's top and middle order batters except Rachin Ravindra, who played 31 balls and scored 41 runs. After Ravindra, MS Dhoni was the second top run getter with an unbeaten 30 runs for the team. Losing wickets at regular intervals spread CSK thin to score 146/8 in 20 overs and allowed RCB to get a 50-run win. 

Dhoni deserve all this trolling

If he can't bat then he should retire. Sending Ashwin ahead of him when his is heading towards a most humiliating defeat against your rival is shameful move. #CSKvsRCB pic.twitter.com/2i2LbolSCb

— 👑Che_ಕೃಷ್ಣ🇮🇳💛❤️ (@ChekrishnaCk) March 29, 2025

Young wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has shared his top 5 opening batsmen whom he would like to partner with the opening stand in the IPL. These are some of the cricket's all-time greats, and Ishan has huge admiration for all of them.

1. Virender Sehwag: With his aggressive batting style, Sehwag's bold attitude would make him a thrilling opening partner. Ishan likes Sehwag's capability to attack bowlers from the beginning.

2. Sachin Tendulkar: The "Master Blaster" is arguably the greatest cricketer of all time.Ishan would love to start with Sachin, watching his style and the calmness he possesses in the game.

Ishan Kishan's Top 5 Openers in IPL, He would love to Open with:

- Virendra Sehwag.
- Sachin Tendulkar.
- Rohit Sharma.
- Shubman Gill.
- Abhishek Sharma. pic.twitter.com/H3pu0e0nb7

— Sports Culture (@SportsCulture24) March 26, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: Swastik Chikara Talks About Virat Kohli & Casually Checks His Bag

3. Rohit Sharma: Being one of the most successful captains and openers in the history of IPL, Rohit Sharma is a player Ishan looks up to. His pairing with Ishan would be a great combination of experience and youth.

4. Shubman Gill: Young and gifted as an opener, Shubman Gill's cool and aggressive temperament would be an ideal partner for Ishan in the top order.

5. Abhishek Sharma: With loads of potential and a talented young player, Abhishek Sharma's attacking approach would balance Ishan's game and prove to be a superb opening duo.

These 5 openers are all geniuses and would bring their special kind of playing style to the IPL For Ishan Kish

India has won numerous ICC trophies in the past, with some players giving excellent performances at the right time.

The players who received the most Man of the Match awards during each winning campaign:

1983: Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath was a crucial member of India's historic World Cup victory. He received two Man of the Match awards, one for the semi-final against England and another for the final against West Indies. His all-round play, providing important wickets and solid batting, assisted India in capturing the trophy.

2002: Virender Sehwag

India co-shared the Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002, and Virender Sehwag was one of the stars of the tournament. He received two Man of the Match awards for his explosive batting and effective bowing contributions.

ALSO SEE: Players With Most Sixes In Champions Trophy 2025

2007: Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh played a major role in India's success in the first T20 World Cup. He received two Man of the Match awards, both for one against England when he hit six sixes in an over and the second for his aggressive knock against Australia in the semi-final.

2011:Yuvraj Singh

The 2011 World Cup was ruled by Yuvraj Singh, who collected four Man of the Match awards. He scored important innings with the bat and also chipped in with the ball, thus becoming the pillar of India's campaign. His all-round excellence guided India to lift the trophy after 28 years.

2013:Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was one of the star performers in India's 2013 Champions Trophy victory. He secured two Man of the Match awards for his all-round performances, including match-winning bowling efforts and aggressive lower-order hitting.

2024: Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was the match-winner for India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He secured two Man of the Match awards for his superb bowling performances, contributing significantly to India's victory.

2025:Virat Kohli

One of the all-time great batsmen, Virat Kohli once again rose to the occasion in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He earned two Man of the Match awards to establish himself as a player who can perform under pressure and took India to another ICC title.

From Mohinder Amarnath in 1983 to Virat Kohli in 2025, each ICC victory has been crafted by the players who played when it counted. With additional tournaments in store, people can't help but wait for the next big star who will lead India to victory.

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis rewrote the history of the fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy history, as his heroic batting performance played a major role in Australia's stunning win against England by recording the highest total in tournament history. 

It was the first match for both Australia and England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore hosted the fourth match of the tournament, where England scored the record tournament total of 351/8 in 50 overs, majorly thanks to opener Ben Duckett's tournament record-breaking score of 165 off 143 balls (17 fours and three sixes). 

Although Australia lost their first two wickets cheaply, Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschgane first handled the early situation, and later, the wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis dominated with the support of Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell. 

Inglis had a 146-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Carey, and then he set another flying 74-run partnership with Maxwell for the unbroken sixth wicket, which lasted for 35 legitimated balls to secure an unforgettable victory in tournament history. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Pakistan - Check long list of prohibited for spectators

Josh Inglis recorded joint-fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy history

After completing his half-century in 41 balls, Inglis rushed to his maiden ODI century in just 77 balls. By completing his century, Inglis equaled the record for the fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy history. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag previously held the record for lonely after scoring a 77-ball century against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2002. 

Wicketkeeper-batter Inglis scored 120 not out off only 86 balls with the help of eight fours and six sixes. It was the third-highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in the ICC Champions Trophy. While it was the fifth time that a wicketkeeper-batter recorded a Champions Trophy century, three of these have recorded this edition. 

ICC Champions Trophy: Wicketkeeper-batters with centuries

Sehwag, who is a legends of the game himself, called Kohli his favourite batter due to his knack to chase targets. "Kohli is a master of chases “, Sehwag said. He is very good in chases and he seems to get the job done every time."

Why Kohli Pipped the Master Blaster?

Sehwag has a lot of respect for Tendulkar but he has ranked Kohli as No. 1 for his consistency and match-winning ability along with the phenomenal record Kohli has in ODIs.

The Indian trails No. 1 Sehwag, who is hailed as the greatest ever batter. “It’s because Tendulkar is my idol,” Sehwag said. “He is my biggest batman I have ever seen. He taught me a lot about how aggressive you can be up there at the top of the order."

At No. 3, Sehwag chose former Pakistan middle-order batter Inzamam-ul-Haq, who reigned in the 1990s and 2000s. His top two were Indian batters — Sachin Tendulkar at No. 2 and Virat Kohli at No. 1.

The rest of the three batters on Sehwag's shortlist are:
3. Inzamam-ul-Haq
4. AB de Villiers
5. chris Gayle

"All these batters are legends, Sehwag said. “They all have a legacy in ODI cricket.”
Virender Sehwag has jaw-dropping stats of his five ODI batters. Sachin Tendulkar is still the leading run-scorer in ODI as he amassed 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.23 across 463 matches. Now the guy with the more hundreds than anyone (50) in limited-overs cricket is Virat Kohli with 13,963 runs at an average of 57.93 with a strike rate of 93.52 in 297 matches. Seventh on 11,739 runs at 39.52 and strike rate of 74.24 in 378 matches. The only batsman to have scored 9,577 runs at an average over 50 and a strike rate over 100 or above is AB de Villiers, who had 228 ODIs with an average of 53.50 and a strike rate of 101.09. Gale who was an explosive batter scored 10,480 runs in ODIs at an average of 37.83 at a strike rate of 87.19.

Kohli takes top spot, Tendulkar at No. 2 🤯@virendersehwag reveals his Top 5 ODI batters 🔥

Watch now 👉🏼 pic.twitter.com/3qIf1nmlDN

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 17, 2025

Sehwag's statement will invite controversy but only proves the greatness of both Kohli and Sachin. Both batters have achieved incredible things in ODI cricket and they are both deserving of a place in any all-time list.

Also Read : Indian Flag Missing at Pakistan Venue, Controversy Erupts

Road to the Final: IPL 2025 Playoffs Set to Ignite

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is in the news for divorce rumours with his wife, Aarti Ahlawat, who have been married for more than 20 years.

The 46-year-old Virender Sehwag, who was famous for his explosive batting in every format, likes to keep his family relations private, but several media reports are indicating his divorce rumours.

See Also: Can Mohammed Shami play in next T20I?

Virender Sehwag and Aarti Ahlawat known each other since childhood

According to media reports, Virender Sehwag and Aarti Ahlawat have known each other since childhood. During Virender’s cousin’s marriage to Aarti’s aunt, Virender was just seven and Aarti was just five. In April 2004, Virender married Aarti. They have two sons. Aryavir was born in 2007, and Vedant was born in 2010. 

Talking about Sehwag’s personal life, previously the Indian opener posted some pictures of his family on the social media accounts, which he hardly does in recent years.

According to some recent media news, Sehwag and Aarti have been living separately for several months, and the divorce is likely to happen. However, there is no official information about this. Although Sehwag’s wife's Instagram account is private, she is using the name @aartisehwag. 

Virender Sehwag's international cricket career: Brief info

Between 1999 and 2013, Virender Sehwag played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs, and 19 T20Is. The right-handed batter scored 8586 Test runs (average 49.34), 8273 ODI runs (average 35.05), and 394 T20I runs (average 21.88). Apart from 23 hundreds and 32 fifties in his Test career and 15 centuries and 38 half-centuries in ODIs, he also recorded two half-centuries in the T20I format. Also, as an off-spinner, he took 40 Test wickets and 96 ODI wickets. 

Sehwag had key roles as an opening batter during MS Dhoni-led India winning the ICC World T20 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Apart from scoring two triple centuries in Test cricket, he was the first ODI captain to record a double century, as he held the record for the highest individual score in ODI history for almost three years. He still holds the record for the highest ODI score as a captain.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has shared details of a challenging period with former Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) director of operations, Virender Sehwag, during the IPL 2017 season. In his new book, Maxwell recounts the friction between him and Sehwag, highlighting issues related to team selection, management decisions, and a public fallout that ultimately led to a strained relationship.

Sehwag’s role in team decisions and Maxwell’s discontent

Maxwell, who captained PBKS during the 2017 season, detailed how Sehwag maintained significant control over team selection, sidelining input from the coaching staff. Despite a consensus to involve all coaches in a WhatsApp group for team decisions, Sehwag ignored suggestions and asserted his authority to pick the playing XI unilaterally. This approach, according to Maxwell, contributed to the team’s underwhelming performance that season.

In his book, Maxwell explained, “We thought it might be beneficial to include the coaching staff in a WhatsApp group for team decisions. Everyone was on board, except for Sehwag. In the end, he was the one calling the shots on the starting XI, and this affected the morale both on and off the field.”

Public fallout after loss to rising Pune Super Giants

Maxwell also recounted the aftermath of PBKS’s final game of the season against Rising Pune Super Giants, which they lost by nine wickets. Following the match, Maxwell volunteered to face the media, but Sehwag chose to go instead, using the opportunity to criticize Maxwell publicly, calling him a “big disappointment” and blaming him for failing to take responsibility as captain. Maxwell was surprised by this, especially when he found out that he had been removed from the team’s WhatsApp group soon after the game.

The former PBKS captain also mentioned his private response to Sehwag’s remarks: “I texted him saying how much it hurt to hear those comments. I told him he’d lost a fan in me. He responded, saying he didn’t need a fan like me. That was the last we spoke.”

See Also: Santner shines with record-breaking performance against India

Maxwell eventually left PBKS and played for other franchises, including Delhi Capitals in 2018 and later rejoining PBKS in 2020. Since 2021, he has been a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with his future in the franchise still under consideration.