Virender Sehwag has officially announced his retirement from all forms of International Cricket & The Indian Premier League. Sehwag last played a test match in March 2013 against Australia in Hyderabad.
In a statement released to the media, Viru said: “To paraphrase Mark Twain, the report of my retirement yesterday was exaggerated! However, 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.
“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 team mates and the Indian cricket fans. I believe that I was reasonably successful in doing so. For that, I wish to thank all my team mates 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.”
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Virender Sehwag played 104 tests scoring 8586 runs at an average of 49.34, which included 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries. In 251 ODIs,he scored 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 and scored 15 hundreds & 38 fifties. His last ODI was against Pakistan at Kolkata in January 2013.
Here’s how Twitter hailed the “Nawab of Najafgarh”.
I hereby retire from all forms of international cricket and from the Indian Premier League. A statement will follow.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 20, 2015
My message. pic.twitter.com/al07Y5PsYF
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 20, 2015
Take a bow, Virender Sehwag. You brought joy to cricket lovers around the world. Wish you the best for the future. pic.twitter.com/wBZsKt3P7H
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2015
Will miss you on the field yaar @virendersehwag. U r the gentlest coolest & bravest of sportsmen I have ever come across. Love & health to u
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 20, 2015
Ex-India opener Virender Sehwag retires from international cricket on 37th birthdayhttps://t.co/X4r7O3DI73 pic.twitter.com/IRsngOuqFI
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) October 20, 2015
The original opener; the dare devil. Congratulations @virendersehwag paaji on a wonderful journey & all the best for the future. Rab Raakha
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) October 20, 2015
A guy like Sehwag does not retire. A guy like Sehwag makes bowlers think seriously about retiring.
— Roflindian (@Roflindian) October 20, 2015
Finally its official and End of Fab 5:
Sachin
Sourav
Dravid
Laxman
Sehwag#ThankYouSehwag— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 20, 2015
An honor to have played along side one of the greats of the game @virendersehwag a great human and an enormous amount of knowledge.
— Beuran Hendricks (@Beuran_H13) October 20, 2015
Congrats @virendersehwag on an amazing career! Proper hitter and top bloke 🙂
— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt) October 20, 2015
Congrats bratha @virendersehwag on a fabulous career.A pure entertainer who gave us sooo much joy . Thanks for all the gr8 memories.#LEGEND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 20, 2015
Clear thinking n attacking stroke play is been hallmark of ur batting! thank u @virendersehwag for grt memories & wonderful friendship!!
— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) October 20, 2015
@virendersehwag Partnerships will never be the same without you bro! Will miss you…India's greatest and the best opening batsman.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) October 20, 2015
Pleasure to have played with you @virendersehwag bhai. What an amazing career. Thanks for the guidance and the memories. Modern day legend!
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 20, 2015
Well done on your career legend. Been a privilege to play with and against you. Catch up soon. @virendersehwag https://t.co/gVrOjskOfc
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) October 20, 2015
Farewell to an explosive, swashbuckling, thrilling batsman.
A man who played cricket the way it should be played.
Thank you @virendersehwag.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 20, 2015
Congrats to @virendersehwag on just a brilliant career!
It was a privilege to watch you play sir! #genius
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) October 20, 2015
What a joy you were to watch @virendersehwag, in parts sublime & in parts exasperating but always exciting. We shall miss watching you play.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2015
And Here’s a special message from the Indian Skipper MS Dhoni
Didn't see Viv Richards bat in person but I can proudly say I have witnessed Virender Sehwag tearing apart the best bowling attacks
— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015
Talent in batting is one thing but to have the mindset of Virupa in batting is as close to impossible as it can get.v keep saying b positive
— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015
Look for a single but he was one person who was always looking for a boundary.many will try to play like u but my advice wd b to enjoy ur
— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015
Batting and be themselves.congrats on a fantastic career
— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015
I was very fortunate to play with @virendersehwag paji which every youngster dreams to do.You have been d legend,Thanks alot for ur guidance
— Manan Vohra (@ImMananVohra) October 20, 2015
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Thank you @virendersehwag for giving us millions of glorious moments on the cricket field. We will miss you. Have a great life ahead.:)
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 20, 2015
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