Reports: Virender Sehwag to announce retirement from international cricket

Sehwag is set to formally announce his retirement from international cricket within the next couple of days

Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has decided to retire from international cricket with immediate effect, Times of India reports. Our sources also confirm that Sehwag has signed up to play in the Masters Champions League, which has the stipulation that all players taking part in the tournament should have retired from international cricket.

The swashbuckling batsman, who moved from him home state Delhi to neighbouring Haryana from the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy campaign, is expected to formally announce his retirement in the next couple of days. If he does so, he will join former teammate Zaheer Khan, who announced his retirement from international cricket last week.

Sehwag has been one of India’s premier match-winners with the bat. His fearless approach and utter disdain for the most feared bowlers have won him admiration from the cricket world all over and he is one of the most loved cricketers in the country.

Set to turn 37 on Tuesday, Sehwag last featured for the national more than two years ago. And with India possessing plenty of options for the opening slot across all formats, chances of a comeback were grim.

Sehwag’s own form hasn’t been helping his cause. He has struggled to replicate his golden days on a consistent basis in the domestic circuit as well as in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while featuring for the Kings XI Punjab franchise.

Sehwag scored 8,586 runs, including 23 centuries, from 104 Tests at an average of 49.34. He also plundered 8,273 runs from 251 ODIs at an average of 35.05. The charismatic batsman forged an effective partnership with his idol and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs while also forging a similar partnership with his former Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir in Test cricket.

He was useful with the ball as well, picking up 96 wickets in ODIs and 40 wickets in Tests.

Virender Sehwag announces international retirement ahead of joining Masters Champions League

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) October 19, 2015

Rules of Masters Champions League say player has to have retired from all international formats

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) October 19, 2015

Eminent cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle reacted to the news by congratulating Sehwag on his illustrious career.

Like with @ImZaheer it was apparent that @virendersehwag would announce his retirement at some point. But still there is a sadness....

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2015

Well played @virendersehwag. You embellished our game, you played with a smile but you made us smile too. That is cricket as it should be.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2015

You were like no one else that played the game @virendersehwag. And that is why you were special. Everytime we think of you we will be happy

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2015