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Virender Sehwag, one of India’s most destructive openers, has always been known for his fearless batting. But behind the aggressive persona, there was a moment of deep self-doubt that almost ended his ODI career prematurely. In a candid revelation, Sehwag shared how being dropped by MS Dhoni during the 2008 tri-series in Australia pushed him to the brink of retirement until Sachin Tendulkar intervened.
Dhoni’s Call That Shook Sehwag
In the 2007-08 CB series Down Under, Sehwag endured a rough patch, managing only 81 runs in five matches at an average of 16.20. With India pushing for a spot in the finals, then-captain MS Dhoni made the tough call to drop Sehwag from the playing XI. The decision left the swashbuckling opener questioning his place in ODI cricket.
“In that series, I played the first three matches, then Dhoni dropped me. I wasn’t picked for a while. I felt if I couldn’t make the XI, there was no point playing ODIs,” Sehwag recalled.
Sachin’s Timely Advice
Before taking the drastic step, Sehwag approached Sachin Tendulkar for guidance. Tendulkar, who had experienced a similar slump in 1999-2000, advised him against making an emotional decision.
“He told me, ‘This phase will pass. Give yourself 1-2 series, then decide.’” Taking that advice to heart, Sehwag stayed on, regained form, and went on to be a key part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad.
From Doubt to Glory
Sehwag’s story is a reminder that even the greatest players face lows, but resilience, guided by the right advice, can lead to historic triumphs. His eventual comeback reinforced his place as one of the finest ODI openers in cricket history.
