Virender Sehwag: Had I played more against Pakistan I would have scored 10,000 Test runs

Virender Sehwag, who recently announced his retirement from all formats, continued his inimitable habit of being outrageous by claiming that had he played more against Pakistan, he would have scored 10,000 Test runs. And yet, on closer observation of his record it seems that Sehwag’s claims might not actually be too outlandish after all. In 9 Tests and 14 innings against Pakistan, Sehwag scored 1,276 runs — helped by four centuries including his record-shattering 309 — at a phenomenal average of 91.14 and a strike rate of 80.20; phenomenal numbers by any stretch. WATCH: VVS Laxman: Virender Sehwag respected a lot of bowlers, but he never spared them

Speaking on Aap Ki Adalat, Sehwag said, “I think it is unfortunate that India didn’t play against Pakistan after 2006, home or away. Had I got 1-2 more series against them, I would have completed 10,000 runs in Test cricket. I would have scored 400-500 runs per series against them and would not have remain stuck at 8,586 runs in my Test career.” Sehwag continued, saying, “Had the selectors told me that they were going to drop me, I could have requested them to allow me to play my last Test in Delhi and then announce my retirement, but they did not give me that opportunity. A sort of sadness shall always remain in my mind that I was not allowed to retire while playing, but anyway, it’s all a part of life for a sportsman, who, while playing, never realises when he should retire, but he starts thinking about it when he is dropped.” READ: Virender Sehwag: Of simplicity, songs, and savage serenity

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source