When Virender Sehwag Bribed Umpire And Trolled Ricky Ponting

image-lks5rstqVirender Sehwag played 104 Tests for India [Source: Twitter]

One of the most explosive openers in world cricket, India's Virender Sehwag was known for his witty and fun behavior both on-and-off the field. Sehwag, who tormented bowlers between 1999 and 2013, enjoyed scoring against Australia, who during that era were the numero uno side.

The dashing opener did not shy away from giving it back to the over-aggressive Australian players on the field. The 44-year-old was also known for maintaining friendly relations with match officials, namely the umpires, who played the most crucial in a player's success or downfall. 

During an episode of 'WHAT THE DUCK' with Vikram Sathaye, the former opener revealed how he jokingly bribed the late umpire Asad Rauf to give a decision in his favor.

“Asad Rauf was very fond of collecting things. He loved wearing branded glasses, t-shirts, and shoes among other things. I was the brand ambassador of Adidas at the time, so I gifted him shoes, t-shirts, and glasses and I jokingly told him not to raise his finger while I am batting."

Rauf, who was included in ICC Elite Umpires Panel between 2006 and 2013, did exactly the same during a Border Gavaskar Trophy encounter in 2008 when Australia toured India. 

The incident took place in Mohali Test, during India's second innings, when Sehwag was batting on 80. A Mitchell Johnson delivery caught a thick outside edge of Sehwag's bat, after which a caught-behind appeal was turned down by Rauf, much to captain Ricky Ponting's disbelief.

Ponting preceded to confirm with Sehwag about the edge and then moved to Rauf, in front of whom the Indian opener categorically denied it trolling the Australian skipper. 

“And he did exactly that. We were playing against Australia in Mohali in 2008 – the same match where VVS Laxman got us over the line. Mitchell Johnson bowled a short-pitch delivery and I attempted a cut shot but ended up edging it. So thick was the edge that it was heard even inside the dressing room but Rauf gave me not out."

"Ricky Ponting was so angry that he went to the umpire and argued how he could give it not out. The umpire told him that there was no edge. Ponting then rushed to me and asked ‘Did you nick it?’ I said ‘Yes’. He then went back to Asad Rauf and told him ‘even Viru is saying he nicked it’. Then they both came up to me and Rauf asked me ‘Did you nick it?’ to which I said ‘No’.

Ponting further argued with Sehwag about " NOT WALKING", something the former was infamous for himself. 

Check Video Here


Rauf officiated in several high-profile matches but was later banned by ICC for his involvement in spot-fixing. The Test ended with India winning by 320 runs and gaining a 1-0 lead.