In a prestigious ceremony set to precede the thrilling first semi-final of the ODI World Cup between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, three distinguished stalwarts of the cricket world—Virender Sehwag, Diana Edulji, and Aravinda de Silva—have rightly earned their place among the legends in the ICC’s Hall of Fame.
The 110th entrant, Sri Lankan icon Aravinda de Silva, whose cricketing journey spanned a remarkable 19 years, played an instrumental role in his nation’s fairytale 1996 World Cup win. His career, marked by finesse and resilience, culminated in an impressive collection of 15,645 international runs and 135 wickets, a testament to his all-round prowess. De Silva chose the 2003 ODI World Cup as the fitting finale to his illustrious career. Embracing the accolade, he expressed his deep gratitude, acknowledging the dedication, sacrifice, and love that fueled his odyssey in cricket.
Cricket enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the ongoing World Cup saga through our special section dedicated to the tournament, which provides unrivaled coverage, including the latest stats, fixtures, and points tally. De Silva, now standing among giants, reflects on a career highlighted by 93 Test appearances and 308 ODI caps for Sri Lanka.
Joining De Silva is Diana Edulji, the 111th honouree, who etches her name in history as the first Indian woman to grace the ICC Hall of Fame. During a stellar 17-year career, Edulji’s tenacity and skill with the ball yielded 63 wickets in tests and 46 in ODIs for India. Retiring after the 1993 World Cup, she left the international cricketing scene with only Lyn Fullston ahead of her in wicket tallies across all forms of the game. Edulji expressed her delight and pride at receiving such a rare honor, recognising her induction as an acknowledgment of her contributions to the sport, and a celebration of women cricketers worldwide.
Virender Sehwag—the swashbuckling Indian opener whose aggressive style redefined the role in Test cricket—becomes another glittering name in the Hall of Fame constellation. Sehwag’s fearlessness and extraordinary hand-eye coordination allowed him to amass runs at an unprecedented rate, and his journey features two World Cup victories—the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. His international tally boasts over 17,000 runs across 104 Tests, 251 ODIs, and 19 T20Is. Sehwag’s gratitude shone through as he acknowledged the support of his family, teammates, and fans who stood by him throughout his playing years, during which he relished his penchant for ‘hitting the cricket ball’.
The ICC Hall of Fame induction serves not only as an acknowledgment of individual brilliance but as a celebration of commitment, passion, and the unyielding desire to push the boundaries of the sport. As we anticipate the upcoming semi-final clash, the legacies of De Silva, Edulji, and Sehwag remind us of the exceptional talent that has graced cricket pitches around the world. Each of them has left an indelible mark on the game’s history, and their reputations as ambassadors of cricket will live on as beacons for future generations. With their names now etched alongside cricket’s all-time greats, the ICC’s Hall of Fame adds yet another glorious chapter, honoring the very best of the game’s luminaries.