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Sehwag wanted to retire from ODIs after Dhoni's big call, but Tendulkar changed his mind: ‘You are emotional'
Virender Sehwag had made up his mind to retire from ODIs after MS Dhoni dropped him in 2008. Image: Reuters
Virender Sehwag was one of the architects of India's 2011 ODI World Cup victory, but it would not have been possible without an intervention by the great Sachin Tendulkar in 2008, after the former opener was dropped from the team by then captain MS Dhoni.
14 years after India's World Cup win at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium under Dhoni's captaincy, Sehwag has revealed that he had made up his mind to retire from ODIs in 2008 after being dropped from the side during a tournament in Australia.
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When Tendulkar stopped Sehwag from retiring in ODIs
Sehwag wasn't in great form as Dhoni decided to replace him at the top with Robin Uthappa. India later went on to win the tri-series that also included Australia and Sri Lanka.
Sehwag has revealed that he had decided to retire from ODIs as he was not a part of the playing XI, but Tendulkar convinced him not to make any decision in a hurry, and to play a few more series before taking the final call.
'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,' Sehwag said on Padamjeet Sehrawat's podcast.
'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 added.
It proved to be fantastic advice as Sehwag continued in the Indian team as its star opener and helped them win the 2011 World Cup. In the World Cup, Sehwag scored 380 runs at 47.50 average.
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