Virender Sehwag has revealed a little-known chapter from his cricketing journey—one the place he got here near retiring from One-Day Internationals after being dropped by then-captain MS Dhoni.
The incident dates again to the 2007–08 Commonwealth Financial institution Sequence in Australia, a tri-nation competitors that includes India, Australia, and Sri Lanka. Sehwag, recognized for his fearless strokeplay, endured a lean run, managing simply 81 runs in 5 video games at a median of 16.20, with a highest rating of 33.
“Within the 2007–08 collection in opposition to Australia, I performed the primary three matches after which MS Dhoni dropped me from the aspect. I wasn’t picked for some time after that,” Sehwag recalled in a dialog with Padamjeet Sehrawat on his Youtube channel. “Then I felt that if I can’t be a part of the taking part in XI, there’s no level in taking part in ODI cricket.”
Sachin Tendulkar’s well timed recommendation saved Virender Sehwag’s profession
Disheartened, Sehwag approached his long-time teammate and shut good friend Sachin Tendulkar for recommendation. The dialog proved career-changing.
“I advised Sachin, ‘I’m considering of retiring from ODIs.’ He mentioned, ‘No, I went by means of an identical section in 1999–2000 after I felt I ought to depart cricket. However that section got here and went. You’re simply going by means of a trough, and it’ll go. Don’t make any choice once you’re emotional. Give your self one or two collection earlier than deciding,’” Sehwag recounted.
Bolstered by Tendulkar’s steering, Sehwag determined to proceed
Six months later, Sehwag returned with a bang within the Kitply Cup, amassing 150 runs in three matches, together with two half-centuries. That resurgence cemented his spot within the aspect and set the stage for his function in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, the place he scored 380 runs at a strike charge of 122.58.
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“When that collection ended, I performed within the subsequent collection and made loads of runs. I performed the 2011 World Cup and we gained the World Cup as properly,” added Viru.
Sehwag’s ODI profession, which he virtually resulted in 2008, went on to change into considered one of India’s best. He completed with 8,273 runs in 251 matches, together with 15 centuries, and famously scored 219 in opposition to West Indies—the very best particular person ODI rating on the time.
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