Goa, Nov. 12 -- Virender Sehwag has one blunt rule for his own sons: being his children buys them nothing. No shortcuts, no pulled strings, and no automatic advantages. To outsiders, telling your kids they are completely on their own sounds harsh. For Sehwag, it is protection-shielding them from the crushing weight of his shadow while forcing them to build the self-reliance his mother once instilled in him.

That refusal to coddle-himself, his children, or his investments-powers his estimated Rs.340-Rs.350 crore net worth. Starting with a box of ladoos and an Rs.11 fee handed to his first coach in Vikaspuri, the boy from Najafgarh never hired McKinsey or chased an MBA. He simply took his famous batting mantra-see ball, hit ball-and applie...