“V” for Victory: Varun Sehdev, Canada’s Valiant All-Rounder
Hard days have made Varun Sehdev a stronger man.
Sehdev is a man of accomplishments. He is one of those people who rarely sits back and lets things happen to him. Instead, Varun Sehdev goes out and makes things happen.
That is how 2021 has been an eventful year in all sense of the term for Sehdev, a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler Canadian cricketer.
In 2021 Sehdev was the top-ranked player in the Mississauga Cricket League (MCL) with the most runs and a debut league century(118 off 100 balls). He scored an impressive 325 in six innings in MCL 50 overs Super 9. Sehdev was the League’s top-ranked player with 1782 points. He topped the charts with the most runs (325), averaging 54.17 while scoring the most centuries. He was also ranked among the League’s top bowlers. Sehdev was positioned at number 7 in the League for the most wickets for an economy of 2.82 and number two for the most sixes.
In the same year, Sehdev again dazzled with a century and a six-wicket haul in a single game in the Brampton Etobicoke District Cricket League, BEDCL’s Premier Division one of the most popular cricket Leagues in Canada. Sehdev’s innings of 101 and a six-wicket haul against the Braveheart CC was undoubtedly an extraordinary feat.
In 2021 Sehdev was the most economical bowler at the Cricket Canada National T20 Men’s Championship with an overall economy rate of 4.53.
In July of 2021, Sehdev played a captain’s knock with an impressive 114 (94b) with 11 Fours and 2 Sixes. He created Panther CC history by scoring a century on debut as captain in MCL and BEDCL, he also secured Royal Panther’s first win against SuperNovas by 66 Runs.
Sehdev also had a golden 2020 Season. He scored back-to-back hundreds and achieved a hat trick of centuries. Sehdev is the first cricketer to hit three centuries in a row for Royal Panthers Toronto Cricket Club. (127, 123* & 104).He scored the fastest hundred for the Royals by facing only 71 balls. Sehdev was also the fastest to reach 500 runs (overall) in 12 innings for the club.
In BEDCL 50 overs matches Sehdev scored 442 runs with an average of 88.4 in his six innings batted. This super talented and seasoned all-rounder also hit forty-four boundaries and 12 over boundaries and claimed 13 wickets.
.Playing for Brampton Royals CC in the BEDCL T25 Super Elite tournament, Sehdev scored 191 runs at an average of 57.75 and a strike rate of 135.46. With 81* as his highest score, Sehdev also claimed seven wickets.
From a young age, Varun Sehdev has been passionate about cricket. Growing up in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, he played some very enjoyable childhood matches with his friends and cousins helping his team to win more often than not. His mother Ravinder Kaur and sister Priyanka Sahdev have been potential influencers in helping Sehdev realize that he wanted to become a cricketer.
“Together, my Mom and Sister have been worth a hundred good teachers,” Sehdev smiles fondly.
Sehdev joined the Jalandhar District Cricket Association at the age of 13. He played junior-level Under 15 and 17 in Punjab and Under 19 at the Himachal Pradesh Tournament level.
Sehdev moved to Canada in 2010, and has been playing TDCA, BEDCL and MCL cricket since then. He began his Canadian cricket career with the Islanders Sports Club. Soon enough, Sehdev’s talent was identified by Johnny Bujan, Sports Director for the TDCA League JB Masters CC. Bujan was also a TDCA Board Member and a former Canadian National team manager. In 2014 Sehdev was recruited to JB Masters CC.
Speaking about Bujan, Sehdev cannot hide his emotions and his deep respect for the man who was instrumental in sports development in Canada .” Bujan had a significant impact on my life. He showed so much faith in me and saw the spark that was there. He gave me so many opportunities. He was like a father figure to me, ” reminisced a grateful Sehdev.
Within two years, Sehdev was being awarded as the TDCA 2016 Player of the Year. Sehdev played for the T20 Super Six League, scoring 168 runs and averaging 42. He also took the most wickets (14) with a 4.88 economy rate, and drove his team to victory.
In 2016, Sehdev debuted for Canada against the USA in the K.A. Auty Cup; an international cricket series played between the North American neighbors. His tournament average was 40.
In May 2017, Sehdev got his first break to play against Zimbabwe. Batting at number 9 he scored 3o before he, unfortunately, threw away his wicket when there were still six overs remaining in the innings. Good counseling by Coaches Henry Osinde and Daulat Khan subsequently inspired Sehdev to bat at number 5, and he scored his first 50.
In 2019, Sehdev was once again declared TDCA Player of the year. Later that year he also represented the Winnipeg Hawks at the Global T20. Another feather in Sehdev’s cap has been his selection for BEDCL Mayor Patrick Brown’s XI at the 2021 Central T20.
Like everyone else, the pandemic has also been a rough time for Sehdev. His wife Amanda has, however, been a pillar of strength throughout, She keeps his dream alive and motivates him every day to be the very best he can be. Varun’s employer Menasha Packaging also has been very supportive, allowing him to play and train freely while performing at his best.
Sensational, seasoned and skillful, Varun Sehdev comes with years of experience in domestic and international cricket. A well-regarded team player and mentor, he provides growth opportunities and is someone everyone looks up to.
Always humble, Varun Sehdev is a certified match-winner and the recipient of two coveted TDCA Player of the Year awards. Sehdev insists on trusting the process.
“Enjoy the journey, value your wicket and don’t worry about the results. Everything will fall into place once you’re doing the right things. Practice with purpose. The achievements and milestones will come to you once you have given your 200 percent in practice!” This would be Sehdev’s advice to aspiring cricketers.