Virender Sehwag was one of the most decorated and destructive opening that India has ever produced. Sehwag ended up with 8586 Test and 8273 ODI runs in his international career with a total of 38 centuries in these formats of the game.
However, Sehwag didn’t receive the exit he deserved for serving Team India so well over the years and being the only Indian batter to score two triple hundreds in Test cricket. \
In a recent conversation on Cricbuzz website, Sehwag revealed that there came a point in his career when he wanted to quit ODI cricket after MS Dhoni dropped him in 2008 during the tour of Australia. But then there was a change of mind as he continued to play on and the former opener credited Sachin Tendulkar for changing his mind.
“In 2008 when we were in Australia, this question (of retirement) came to my mind. I made a comeback in the Test series, scored a 150. In the ODIs, I couldn’t score that much in three-four attempts. So MS Dhoni dropped me from the playing XI then the thought of quitting ODI cricket came to my mind. I thought I will continue playing only Test cricket,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz show ‘Match Party.’
“Sachin Tendulkar stopped me at that time. He said ‘this is a bad phase of your life. Just wait, go back home after this tour, think hard and then decide what to do next’. Luckily I didn’t announce my retirement at that time,” he added.
MS Dhoni ... Om Finishaya Namaha .
What a win. Romba Nalla #MIvsCSK— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 21, 2022
Three years later, Sehwag went on to feature in the 2011 World Cup which India won. Sehwag was a key member of the squad, scoring a century in the opening game against Bangaladesh at Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Dhoni continues to play the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. This year was not one of their best as they could not even qualify for the playoffs.
