Viru’s farewell statement a surprise, says selector

“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 announced my retirement, but they did not give me that opportunity,” the batting great had said in a TV programme.

“Should not a player, who has played 12 to 13 years for his country, deserve a farewell match? 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,” Sehwag had added.

The selector, who has chosen to remain anonymous, seemed to differ.

“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,” the selector said.

Sandeep Patil’s selection committee did not consider Sehwag after the third Test against Australia in Hyderabad in 2013. The fourth Test was in Mohali and the final at Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi.

“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," said the selector.

Sehwag is India’s only Test triple centurion, and one among only a handful of global batsmen to have scored two Test triple centuries and four other double centuries. He came close to recording a third triple ton when he scored 293 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009.

The Delhi batsman is also one of only five international batsmen to have scored a double century in One-Day Internationals.