'Wanted to retire from ODIs after MS Dhoni dropped me' - Virender Sehwag recalls his tough times during 2008 Australia tour

Former Indian batter Virender Sehwag is considered one of the most destructive opening batters to play the game of cricket. The right-handed batter played some magical knocks throughout his career and was a match-winner for the Men in Blue. However, the veteran batter has now opened up about a time when he thought of quitting the game.

Sehwag revealed that in 2008 he was going through a lean patch in the 50-over format and also got dropped from the team which was under the leadership of former skipper MS Dhoni. However, Sehwag was then advised by another Indian great Sachin Tendulkar to not retire from the format.

Sachin Tendulkar stopped me from announcing my retirement: Virender Sehwag

“In 2008 when we were in Australia, this question (of retirement) came to my mind. I made a comeback in the Test series and scored a 150. In the ODIs, I couldn’t score that much in three-four attempts. So MS Dhoni dropped me from the playing XI then the thought of quitting ODI cricket came to my mind. I thought I will continue playing only Test cricket,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz show ‘Match Party.’

“Sachin Tendulkar stopped me at that time. He said ‘this is a bad phase of your life. Just wait, go back home after this tour, think hard, and then decide what to do next. Luckily I didn’t announce my retirement at that time,” he added.

To note, India was taking on Australia and Sri Lanka in a tri-series in 2008. Sehwag was unable to score runs in the first four matches of the series as he scored only  6, 33, 11, and 14 in India’s first four matches. As a result, he was dropped from the squad for the squad.

He got another go after two matches, but Sehwag got out cheaply once again. The Men in Blue went on to win the tri-series, but Sehwag couldn’t do much. Nevertheless, the dashing opener bounced back in the subsequent assignments and played his last international match in 2013.