In a momentous recognition of cricketing excellence, three iconic figures of the sport — Virender Sehwag, Diana Edulji, and Aravinda de Silva — have been inducted into the esteemed ICC Hall of Fame. This significant accolade comes as a prelude to the forthcoming semi-final clash at the Wankhede Stadium, where India and New Zealand are set to battle it out in the ODI World Cup.
Aravinda de Silva, now the 110th entrant to this celebrated list, has enjoyed an illustrious career lasting 19 years donning Sri Lankan colours. His memorable performances played a pivotal role in securing Sri Lanka’s unexpected yet triumphant World Cup victory in 1996. Reflecting on his induction, De Silva expressed immense gratitude for the recognition, attributing it to his unwavering dedication, sacrifices, and the sheer love for the game that marked his cricket journey. His prolific career concluded after the 2003 ODI World Cup, tallying an extraordinary 15,645 international runs and claiming 135 wickets across formats.
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Diana Edulji, bestowed with the honour of being the 111th cricket personality in the Hall of Fame, broke barriers as the first Indian woman to achieve this distinction. Her remarkable 17-year tenure with the Indian national team witnessed her participation in 20 Test matches and 34 One Day Internationals, where she took 63 and 46 wickets respectively. At the time of her retirement, following the 1993 World Cup, Edulji ranked second only to Lyn Fullston in terms of international wickets across all cricketing formats. Embracing the accolade, Diana remarked on the profound honour of being the inaugural Indian woman cricketer in the Hall of Fame and joining a stellar roster of cricketing legends from across the globe.
The stature of Virender Sehwag in the annals of Indian cricket is unassailable. His explosive batting at the top of the order in Test matches redefined the archetype of the Test opener and set a benchmark for scoring profusely and rapidly, unparalleled in Test history. A crucial component of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning outfits, Sehwag’s staggering career yielded over 17,000 international runs. Regaling in the honour, the legendary Indian opener extended gratitude for the opportunity to spend a significant part of his life indulging in his greatest passion — striking the cricket ball. Sehwag warmly acknowledged his family, friends, teammates, and the countless fans who supported him throughout his career.
As these three stalwarts of cricket are honoured through their induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, it is not just a celebration of their individual careers but also a testament to the impact they have had on the sport itself. Their legacies will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history, inspiring future generations to pursue greatness with similar vigour and passion.