Apart from supporting ICC in choosing the right person for the honour, Ganguly even mentioned that Sehwag is ‘probably the best opening batsman after Sunil Gavaskar’.

In his letter, Ganguly wrote, as quoted by ICC, “The ICC has absolutely chosen the right person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. To me, and millions of others, you are a cricketing great.”

He added, “You scored runs at such a fast pace, you were just exceptionally good, and you are probably the best opening batsman after Sunil Gavaskar.”

Remembering the good old days, Ganguly recalled the match when Sehwag opened in ODI cricket against New Zealand in 2001 in Colombo for the first time and Sachin was injured.

“The first time you opened in ODI cricket, in Colombo in 2001, it was when Sachin was injured. The two of us put on a huge partnership against New Zealand and you got a hundred in 69 balls, which in those days was unheard of,” Ganguly said.

Among other things, Ganguly even mentioned that Sehwag’s opening made life easy for the batters that came after him.

Applauding Sehwag, Ganguly referred to him as very honest and straightforward and a fantastic gentleman. “As a teammate, you were very honest and straightforward and a fantastic gentleman. You were and are a very easy and happy-go-lucky person.”

Sachin Tendulkar’s remarks:

Not only Ganguly but even the ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Sehwag, calling him ‘my friend and partner in crime’.

Taking to X, Sachin wrote, “It’s endearing to see three players – very different from each other and having played in different eras – making it to the ICC Hall of Fame. Senior cricketer Diana Edulji, who was one of the foremost female cricketers of India; Aravinda, who played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka lifting the ‘96 World Cup; and, of course, my friend and partner in crime @virendersehwag , who reimagined batting as a Test opener and started attacking all bowling attacks from the word go. Congratulations to all of them!”