Sehwag 2.0: An Aggressive Start
All eyes were on Aaryavir Sehwag as he walked out to open the batting for the India Under-19 team against Australia on September 18. Making his debut in the rain-shortened 20-over match in Rajkot, the 18-year-old right-hander immediately showed glimpses
of his famous father, Virender Sehwag. He began his international journey with a boundary and played a confident, entertaining knock of 28 runs from just 26 balls. His innings, which included five boundaries and came at a strike rate of over 100, gave India a brisk start and ended a 45-run opening partnership. This performance was not an isolated event; Aaryavir has been making waves in domestic cricket, notably for a massive score of 297 in the Cooch Behar Trophy, showcasing a similar aggressive intent that made his father a cricketing icon.
Dravid's Son Flips the Script
While Aaryavir set the stage at the top, it was Anvay Dravid who provided the fireworks at the finish. The headline suggested a role for India A, but Anvay was, in fact, playing alongside Aaryavir in the same Under-19 fixture. Coming in at number six, the younger son of Rahul Dravid played an innings that was the stylistic opposite of his father's famous moniker, 'The Wall'. Anvay, the team’s wicket-keeper, smashed an explosive 38 runs from a mere 18 deliveries. His stunning cameo was decorated with two fours and three sixes, rocketing his strike rate to over 211 and powering India to a competitive total of 182. Unlike Aaryavir, this wasn't Anvay's first time shining for the U19s; he has previously scored crucial runs for the team, including a mature 87 against Sri Lanka earlier in 2026.
The Weight of a Famous Surname
To carry the name Sehwag or Dravid onto a cricket field is to carry the weight of a billion expectations. It is a burden that has challenged many second-generation athletes. Yet, for both Aaryavir and Anvay, their early careers suggest they are carving out their own paths. Aaryavir’s style shows a clear inheritance of his father’s fearless approach, with fans and analysts noting the uncanny resemblance in his shot-making, particularly his back-foot punch. Anvay, meanwhile, is developing a reputation as an aggressive lower-order finisher and a reliable wicket-keeper, a role distinct from his father's top-order resilience. Their presence in the same U19 squad is a tantalising prospect for Indian cricket fans, offering a blend of inherited talent and individual ambition.
Building Their Own Legacies
These performances are more than just a feel-good story; they are built on a foundation of consistent hard work in the junior circuits. Aaryavir has already demonstrated his appetite for big scores with his near-triple-century for Delhi. Anvay has not only delivered under pressure for the national U19 team on multiple occasions but has also shouldered the responsibility of captaining his state side, Karnataka. The two represent different approaches to the game, echoing the famous partnership their fathers once shared for the senior team. One, the son of an opener, is starting his journey at the top of the order. The other, the son of a middle-order bastion, is making his name as a dynamic finisher. Their simultaneous success on the same day is a rare and exciting moment for the sport.
