New Delhi, Dec 9 : West Indian legend Vivian Richards feels that India's opener Virender Sehwag is the most destructive batsman in world cricket today and India needs him to click in the World Cup.

Richards, arguably the most menacing batsman cricket has ever seen, said that he is a big admirer of Sehwag.

"I am an admirer of Virender Sehwag. He is the most destructive batsman in world cricket and India needs him badly. He is fearless when he comes out to bat and he has tremendous belief in his ability while facing a bowler," Sir Viv said during a promotional event of the 2011 World Cup where previous World Cup winning captains Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, and Arjuna Ranatunga were present.

While Richards praised Sehwag, Imran opened a page from the past recalling how the West Indian used to strike terror in the hearts of bowlers.

"For other batsmen, the fast bowlers would devise strategy to get them out. But for Viv, they used to plan how to restrict him from scoring. The way he used to come out to bat, he would never give a sense of whether he was nervous. He would always look into the eyes of the bowlers and tell them that he is there. You should never give a message to the opposition that you are nervous because you lose half the battle there. Viv would never do that."(IANS)