Virender Sehwag's Big Reveal: 'MS Dhoni Dropped Me, I Went To Sachin Tendulkar...'

Virender Sehwag's Big Reveal: 'MS Dhoni Dropped Me, I Went To Sachin Tendulkar...'

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Last Updated: August 14, 2025, 21:55 IST

Virender Sehwag considered retiring from ODIs before the 2011 World Cup after being dropped by MS Dhoni but was convinced by Sachin Tendulkar to continue.

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Virender Sehwag considered taking ODI retirement in 2008. (PTI, X)

One of India’s greatest openers, Virender Sehwag, has revealed that he had considered retiring from ODI cricket before the 2011 World Cup after then-captain MS Dhoni dropped him from the 11 for a long time. He said he was convinced by his batting partner and legend Sachin Tendulkar against that decision.

Sehwag’s story was from the 2007-2008 Commonwealth Bank Series. He played the first five completed matches and managed only 81 runs at an average of 16.20 with a best score of 33. He was dropped from the last three games as India went on to beat Sri Lanka and then Australia in both finals.

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His comeback was six months later in the Kitply Cup, where he scored 150 runs in three matches, including two fifties and went on a consistent run of form.

“In the 2007-08 series in Australia, I played the first three (five) matches and then MS Dhoni dropped me from the side. I wasn’t picked for a while after that. Then I felt that if I can’t be a part of the playing XI, then there was no point in my playing ODI cricket."

“Then I went to Tendulkar and said, ‘I am thinking of retiring from ODIs’. He said, ‘No, I went through a similar phase in 1999-2000, where I felt I should leave cricket. But that phase came and went. So, you are going through a trough, but it will pass. Don’t make any decision when you are emotional. Give yourself some time and 1-2 series, and then take a call.’ When that series ended, I played in the next series and made a lot of runs. I played the 2011 World Cup and we won the World Cup as well".

Sehwag retired with 8273 runs in 251 matches.

Virender Sehwag speaks on son Aryavir

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Sehwag also spoke about Aryair, his son who’s slowly coming through the ranks of Delhi cricket. He said they have already had a conversation about pressure and Aryavir is aware of what he faces.

“Pressure is something that you give, not take. I have told him he can play the way he wants if he is interested and if he wants to become a cricketer. Things are going well for now. Hope he goes on to play either for India or the Ranji Trophy. He’s working hard. He’s only 15 and he’ll learn a lot in future," Sehwag said.

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First Published: August 14, 2025, 21:55 IST

News cricket Virender Sehwag's Big Reveal: 'MS Dhoni Dropped Me, I Went To Sachin Tendulkar...'

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