Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Oct 28: Revealing that he wanted to retire at the top of his game, Virender Sehwag said Wednesday it was iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar who stopped him from calling it quits after the swashbuckling opener was dropped from the Indian team in 2007.
Sehwag finally retired on his 37th birthday, October 20, more than two-and-a-half years after his last appearance for the national cricket team.
“Every player wants to retire at the top of his international game. Had I also retired while playing international cricket, I could have given a retirement speech. But fate had something else in store for me,” Sehwag told a national TV channel. “I was planning to retire in 2007 when dropped from the team but (Sachin) Tendulkar stopped me from doing so,” he added.
Sehwag’s international career ended after he was dropped from the Indian squad following the second home Test against Australia in March 2013 and could never find his way back. He rued that the selectors did not give him enough chances and dropped him after a few failures.
“The selectors did not ask me about my future plan before dropping me during Australia series in 2013. Had the selectors told me about their decision, I could have announced my retirement in that series itself. I deserved better,” said the Najafgarh-born player.
The ‘Multan of Sultan’, who acquired this sobriquet after hitting a triple ton against Pakistan in 2004, admitted that his family was not happy with his retirement. “Both my sons were upset. But then these issues don’t matter to me,” he stated.
When asked about his future plans, he said, “I will always be connected with this game. If I get an offer from the BCCI or any commentary propositions, I will definitely be considering it. My commentary would be straight forward like my batting.”
