Virender Sehwag’s outburst after retirement irks Indian selectors

Virender Sehwag‘s outburst on not getting a farewell match has not been taken in spirit by a member of the Indian national selection panel. In a television program telecast on Saturday night, Sehwag claimed that he would have announced his retirement in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2013, against Australia after the final Test at New Delhi. The fourth Test of that series which India won 4-0 would have been Sehwag’s last, that too on his home ground. The Indian cricketer, who recently announced his retirement, had claimed that he would have walked away from cricket had the selectors spoken with him about his future plans. ALSO READ — Virender Sehwag: Had I played more against Pakistan I would have scored 10,000 Test runs

A selector on the condition of anonymity told Mid Day, “We are surprised to read about what Sehwag said (in the TV programme). By saying that he would have requested for a farewell Test had we told him that we won’t pick him, means he admitted being at the end of his road. Selectors have no right to tell any player that he won’t be picked again. Anyone can make a comeback through big scores and we are always aware of that.” ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar stopped Virender Sehwag from quitting international cricket in 2007

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Sehwag said in the show on India TV, named Aap Ki Adalat, “Had the selectors told me they were going to drop me, I could have requested them to allow me to play my last Test in Delhi (vs Australia in 2013) 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.”