Virender Sehwag doesn't believe in pulling his punches either on or off the field. The Sultan of Multan's latest target was the national selectors who denied him the honour of a farewell Test.
Speaking to Rajat Sharma on India TV's Aap Ki Adalat, Sehwag expressed his sadness at being unable to retire from the game on his own terms.
"Had the selectors told me that they were going to drop me, I could have requested them to allow me to play my last Test in Delhi and then announce my retirement, but they did not give me that opportunity. A sort of sadness shall always remain in my mind that I was not allowed to retire while playing, but anyway, it's all a part of life for a sportsman, who, while playing, never realizes when he should retire, but he starts thinking about it when he is dropped," Sehwag said.
"I would like to ask: Should not a player who has played 12 to 13 years for his country, deserves a farewell match?" he added.
Now, an unnamed national selector has responded to Sehwag's swipe.
The selector argued that they had not closed the door on Sehwag because he was capable of making a comeback to the team.
"We are surprised to read about what Sehwag said. By saying that he would have requested for a farewell Test had we told him that we won't pick him, means he admitted being at the end of his road. Selectors have no right to tell any player that he won't be picked again. Anyone can make a comeback through big scores and we are always aware of that," said the selector, who was speaking on condition of anonymity to Mid Day.
"Why only one Test? He would have got many more had he scored runs. Things don't work like this in cricket. It is disappointing to hear such things from Viru, a good player and bloke too," the selector went on to say.
Sehwag last played for India in the second Test against Australia in Hyderabad in March 2013. He was dropped after making 6 as India won by an innings. The fourth Test of the same series was played at the Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi, which could have served as Viru's swansong.
The Kotla is also the venue for the fourth Test of the upcoming series against South Africa. A felicitation is being planned for Sehwag on the occasion and should hopefully bring a smile back to the face of one of the most destructive batsmen the game has ever seen.
