Virender Sehwag's 'farewell series' barb irks selectors

It's not a question of me alone, every player who retires should get a farewell, Viru had said.

New Delhi: During his several post-retirement interviews, Virender Sehwag was heard talking about how he was denied the opportunity of bidding goodbye to cricket in a farewell series.

"Had the selectors told me they were going to drop me, I could have requested them to allow me to play my last Test in Delhi (vs Australia in 2013) 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,” said Viru in one such interview.

The explosive batsman made 23 Test centuries and 15 tons in ODIs. "I would like to ask: Should not a player who has played 12 to 13 years for his country, deserves a farewell match?" On organisers planning to give him a farewell during the forthcoming Test in Delhi between India and South Africa starting December 3, Sehwag said: "If that is so, it will be good. If BCCI cannot organise, at least DDCA should do. It's not a question of me alone, every player who retires should get a farewell."

Speaking to Mid Day, a selector on the condition of anonymity said things don't work like that in cricket.

“We are surprised to read about what Sehwag said (in the TV programme). 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.

"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," he told the newspaper.