Viru to announce retirement ‘soon’
NEW DELHI: Virender Sehwag, India’s ultimate enforcer in Tests and one-day cricket, has decided to end his wait for another national comeback. The explosive batsman, who switched from Delhi to Haryana to play Ranji Trophy this season, has said he will announce his retirement “soon”.
Sehwag, who turns 37 on Tuesday, was addressing the media in Dubai in the build-up to the Masters Champions League Twenty20 tournament to be held there in January/February. As the tournament is meant for retired cricketers with the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Brian Lara playing, Sehwag was asked about his retirement plans.
“I’m not retired, I’m still playing first-class cricket. I’ll soon go back to India and announce my retirement,” he said. “I’ll be playing in this tournament.” Sections of the media went into a tizzy assuming Sehwag had announced his retirement before realising the formal decision was yet to come.
While his hitting confounded new ball bowlers in Tests, he combined brilliantly with Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the ODI batting order. However, with reflexes and eye sight failing him — he began wearing spectacles before the 2013 home Test series against Australia during which he lost his spot to Shikhar Dhawan. His ODI run had ended two months earlier after the game against Pakistan in Kolkata.
With a number of youngsters making it to the team, his comeback hopes had vanished, and it was a question of how long he could motivate himself to play. His remarks showed the man with a shot for every delivery and a funny quip for every question is ready to hang his famous bat. 251 23 8273 82.23 (219).