'MS Dhoni dropped me from the side': How Sachin Tendulkar stopped Virender Sehwag from retiring in 2008

How Sachin Tendulkar stopped Virender Sehwag from retiring in 2008 (AFP Photo)

Virender Sehwag is regarded as one of the most destructive custodian the game has ever witnessed. He is known for his ferocious batting, which made him a delight to watch. Opening the batting for India, Sehwag on numerous occasions left the opposition in a disarray and even after retiring from the sport in 2015, people present him as a testimony anytime the topic of aggressive batting is raised.

However, even the greatest of athletes go through a barren patch and so was the case with Sehwag. But the impact of it was such that the former India opener once contemplated retiring from the ODI format even before playing the 2011 World Cup, which India won.

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The instance, which happened in 2007-08, was recalled by Sehwag on Padamjeet Sehrawat's podcast. Discussing the events, Sehwag also mentioned that it was Sachin Tendulkar, once his opening partner - his idol - and a batting legend, who persuaded him not to take any decision in a haste.

“In the 2007-08 series against Australia, I played the first three matches and then MS Dhoni dropped me from the side. I wasn't picked for a while after that. Then I felt that if I can't be a part of the playing XI, then there is no point in playing ODI cricket.

“I went to Tendulkar and said, ‘I am thinking of retiring from ODIs'. He said, ‘No. I went through a similar phase in 1999-2000, where I felt I should leave cricket. But that phase came and went. You are going through a trough, but it will pass. Don't make any decision when you are emotional. Give yourself some time and 1-2 series, and then take a call,'” Sehwag recalled.

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Sehwag in the series mentioned had managed just 81 runs from five innings at an underwhelming average of 16.20.