Virender Sehwag's charisma and cricketing acumen almost landed him a coveted spot in the Sky Sports commentary team, but negotiations reportedly hit a speed bump over his desired fee.
The former Indian opener revealed on the YouTube podcast Club Prairie Fire, alongside Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, that Sky Sports had expressed interest in securing his commentary expertise.
However, Sehwag's tongue-in-cheek response of "you can't afford me" might have held some truth, as the deal ultimately fell through.
Sehwag, known for his flamboyant batting style and witty remarks, shared a lighthearted anecdote about the Sky Sports approach. "They said they'd love to have me in their panel," Sehwag recalled. "I said 'you can't afford me,' but they insisted I give them a price. So I said '£10,000 a day' and they kind of agreed, saying 'yes, you're right, we can't afford you.'"
While the exact reasons behind the collapsed negotiations remain undisclosed, Sehwag's hefty price tag likely played a role. Sky Sports is known for its comprehensive cricket coverage featuring a pool of expert commentators, and Sehwag's demands might not have fit within their budgetary constraints.
The conversation on the podcast shifted to Indian player participation in overseas T20 leagues. When Gilchrist inquired about the possibility of Indian stars featuring in leagues like the Big Bash, Sehwag's reply was characteristically playful.
"No, we don't need to," Sehwag quipped. "We are rich people, we don't go to poor countries for other leagues."
Sehwag further exemplified his lighthearted approach by recounting an incident where he rejected a Big Bash League offer. "I remember when I was dropped from the Indian team, I was still playing in the IPL," he said. "Then the BBL approached me, but when they offered $100,000, I said I could spend that on my holidays – even last night's bill was more than that!"
Sehwag's commentary stint with Sky Sports might not have materialised, but his candid anecdotes and unwavering self-confidence continue to entertain cricket fans around the world.
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