New Delhi, October 20

Virender Sehwag, one of the world’s most destructive batsmen to have played the game, today announced his retirement from international cricket and the Indian Premier League, bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning 14 years. Sehwag had already hinted about his imminent retirement at a function in Dubai yesterday and chose his 37th birthday today to put an end to his amazing career. “I have always done what I felt was right and not what conformists thought to be right. God has been kind and I have done what I wanted to do — on the field and in my life. And I had decided some time back that I will retire on my 37th birthday. So today, while I spend my day with my family, I hereby announce my retirement from all forms of international cricket and from the Indian Premier League,” Sehwag said in a statement. “Cricket has been my life and continues to be so. Playing for India was a memorable journey and I tried to make it more memorable for my teammates and the Indian cricket fans. I believe that I was reasonably successful in doing so. “For that, I wish to thank all my teammates over the years — some of the greatest players of the game. I would like to thank all my captains who believed in me and backed me to the hilt. I also thank our greatest partner, the Indian cricket fan, for all the love, support and memories,” he added. In a glorious international career spanning 14 years, Sehwag played 104 Tests scoring 8586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34. He has 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries to his credit. He is the only Indian to have scored a Test triple-century. In fact, he is also one of those rare batsmen to have scored two triple-tons — 309 against Pakistan at Multan in 2004 and 319 against South Africa in 2008. In 251 ODIs, he accumulated 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 and scored 15 hundreds apart from hitting 38 fifties. He has been a part of two World Cup winning teams under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leadership — the 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup in India. The decision to retire comes after Sehwag signed up to play in next year’s Masters Champions League T20, in which only retired cricketers can play. The move also comes a few days after one of his contemporaries, Zaheer Khan, decided to call time on his career. Sehwag had not been in the Indian team since 2013 and had not been in the reckoning either. The marauding right-hander, whose awe-inspiring hand-eye coordination won him admiration of experts and fans alike, had been on the wane in the last two years. “I have played against a lot of great players and it was an absolute pleasure and honour to do so. It was possibly the greatest motivation there was to play to the best of my ability. I have lived my dream,” he said.  “I want to thank everyone for all the cricketing advice given to me over the years and I apologise for not accepting most of it! I had a reason for not following it; I did it my way!” he said. — PTI

I want to thank everyone for all the cricketing advice given to me over the years and I apologise for not accepting most of it! I had a reason for not following it; I did it my way! — Virender Sehwag   Leaves his signature on the game with his tremendous achievements. Loved his instinctive approach to batting & life. Had the best seat during most of his superlative performances on field. — Sachin Tendulkar He was one of the champions of the game. Someone who deserves a huge standing ovation — Sourav Ganguly Didn’t see Viv Richards bat in person but I can proudly say I have witnessed Sehwag tearing apart the best bowling attacks. Talent in batting is one thing but to have the mindset of Viru is as close to impossible as it can get. We keep saying be positive. Look for a single but he was one person who was always looking for a boundary. — MS Dhoni Pleasure to have played with you.  Thanks for the guidance. Modern day legend. — Virat Kohli

319 Sehwag’s innings against South Africa in 2008 is the highest score in a Test by an Indian. He is the only Indian to have scored a Test triple-ton.  219 Viru’s highest in ODIs came in 2011, making him only the second Indian to score a double-ton after Sachin Tendulkar. Till now only three Indians have scored an ODI double-ton. 4 He is one of only four batsmen, alongside Don Bradman, Brian Lara and Chris Gayle, in the Test history to score two triple-centuries.

Source : http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sport/end-of-a-great-opening-act/148789.html