'MS Dhoni dropped me from the side'- Former Indian player reveals he considered early ODI retirement during 2008 CB series
Ex-India opener Virender Sehwag revealed he thought about retiring from ODI cricket during the 2008 CB Series after being dropped, sharing insights on his career and tough decisions.
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Former Indian player Virender Sehwag recently revealed that he had contemplated retiring from ODI cricket back in 2007-08. The batting legend recalled feeling disheartened after being left out of the Indian squad during a tri-nation series in Australia and Sri Lanka.
Sehwag revealed that getting dropped from the team led him to rethink continuing in ODI cricket. At that point, he felt disappointed and unsure whether he could continue contributing effectively to the team. The decision to step away from ODIs crossed his mind as he reflected on his career trajectory.
Despite the setback, Sehwag eventually chose to continue playing, going on to achieve tremendous success in ODIs for India. The aggressive opener’s ability to dominate bowlers and deliver match-winning performances cemented his legacy as one of India’s most feared limited-overs batsmen. His reflection highlights the challenges even top players face during their careers.
Virender Sehwag Talked About His Contemplated Retirement:
Virender Sehwag shared that he discussed the idea of retiring from ODI cricket with Sachin Tendulkar. The legendary batsman advised him to take his time and avoid making a hasty decision driven by emotions.
Sehwag revealed. “ In the 2007-08 series against Australia, I played the first three 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.”
Following Tendulkar’s guidance, Sehwag chose to continue in the 50-over format. This decision proved fruitful, as he went on to be part of India’s victorious squad in the 2011 World Cup held in the subcontinent. The 46-year-old shared these insights during a discussion with sports commentator Padamjeet Sehrawat on his YouTube channel, reflecting on the pivotal moment in his career.
He further said, “ 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 featured in five games during the tri-nation series in Australia but struggled with the bat, scoring just 81 runs. Following his underwhelming performance, Robin Uthappa was selected to open alongside Sachin Tendulkar instead, replacing Sehwag at the top of the order.
Virender Sehwag Talked About His Son:
Aryaveer Sehwag secured selection for Delhi’s Under-16 squad to compete in the Vijay Merchant Trophy in December 2023. Speaking on his son’s cricketing journey, Sehwag emphasized that he advised Aryaveer not to feel burdened by his famous surname and to focus on enjoying the game and developing his own skills without the pressure of expectations tied to being Virender Sehwag’s son.
He said, “ Aryaveer will surely have the pressure on him, but I have been teaching him from when he was young that your father's name would be told to you all the time. That you are Virender Sehwag's son, that you play like he did, that you don't play like he did. That pressure will always be on you, but you should not take that pressure.”
He added, “ 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.”
In July 2025, Aryaveer Sehwag was bought by South Delhi Superstarz for ₹1 lakh at the Delhi Premier League auction. The young batter’s selection highlights his growing reputation in domestic cricket, giving him a platform to showcase his talent and continue building his career in competitive T20 cricket. This opportunity allows Aryaveer to gain valuable experience while making a mark in the league.
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