New Delhi: Virender Sehwag on Monday denied reports of retirement from international cricket after the news went viral.
The reports of his retirement came as Sehwag confirmed his participation in next year's Masters Champions League 2020, where only retired cricketers can play.
One of the most destructive batsmen of the Indian cricket, Sehwag has 8,273 runs in 251 matches with 15 centuries and 38 fifties at an average of 35.05. He became only the second batsman to score a double century in ODIs when he hit 219 runs against West Indies.
In a glorious international career spanning over 15 years, Sehwag played 104 Tests scoring 8586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34, hitting 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
He is the only triple centurion in Tests for India having scored career-best knock of 319 against Pakistan at Multan, which also is an Indian record. He is also one of those rare batsmen to have scored two triple ton with his next one (309) coming against South Africa.
Sehwag's decision comes only two days after one of his contemporaries Zaheer Khan decided to call time on his career. Sehwag was today unveiled at the launch ceremony of the veterans 2020 league in Dubai.
When Sehwag, who was present alongside Brian Lara, Graeme Smith and Azhar Mahmood at the launch, was asked how he could play as MCL is a retired cricketers' league, Sehwag said "If I am not retired I will not play. I will go back to India and announce my retirement."
MCL is supposed to be played in February next year, which means that Sehwag will complete his Ranji Trophy commitments with Haryana before joining the veterans' league.
He has been a part of two World Cup winning teams under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership --- 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.
