REVEALED! The reason behind Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag's absence from 500th Test celebration

The absentees' list included Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Gundappa Viswanath, Bishan Singh Bedi, Chandu Borde and Nari Contractor.

New Delhi: The first Test, against New Zealand, at Kanpur was a historic milestone as India reached its 500th match in traditional format of the game.

To mark the occasion, BCCI invited all the former Test captains to felicitate them. Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association president Rajeev Shukla honoured the former captains with a shawl, a memento and a coin with the words “500th Test” written on it.st were not present at the ceremony.

Dravid and Sehwag's absence came as more of a surprise as compared to the rest.

Dravid reportedly due to the Australian tour with the India A side – the 4-match Test series was won by Australia 2-1.

While Sehwag was not available as he was busy playing a charity match of ‘Cricket United’ in England. (READ: Poet's Avatar! Virender Sehwag turns SHAYAR in wishing Ambati Rayudu Happy Birthday)

He was representing the Cricket United XI side, led by West Indies' Darren Sammy against Surrey All Stars. Viru unfortunately got out on duck after facing just four balls.

Other than Sehwag, other prominent names from Indian cricket included the likes of Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh.

During his visit to England Sehwag also made it to the Emirates Stadium – home of English Football Club Arsenal – and posted a picture of him in the club's dressing room.

At @Arsenal Dressing room.
Great experience. pic.twitter.com/kjtZOoSPzb

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 23, 2016

A total of 285 players have played Test cricket for India so far, consisting of 32 captains starting from C.K. Nayudu to the present skipper Virat Kohli. (READ: India vs New Zealand, 1st Test: Tom Latham was caught off a legal delivery but was declared not out – Here's why!)

India became 4th country to reach the 500 mark after England (976), Australia (791) and West Indies (517).