The BCCI top brass heaped rich praise on Virender Sehwag, who announced his retirement from international cricket today.
BCCI President Shashank Manohar said, “Virender Sehwag has had a long and illustrious career. Over the years he has been a great example for his peers and youngsters alike. He has given cricket lovers across the globe a lot of joy with his unique style of batting. He was one of the most feared batsmen. Here’s wishing him the best in the future.”
Secretary Anurag Thakur said, “I want to congratulate Viru (Virender Sehwag) on a fantastic career. He redefined batting and brought so many laurels to the country. He was like India’s very own Sir Viv Richards who would tear bowling attacks to bits. He leaves the game as one of our all-time greats and a role model to young Indians on what all one can achieve through dedication. I wish him the very best for all his future endeavors.”
Sehwag’s announcement brought to close a remarkable career in which he scored 17,253 runs across formats in international cricket. The destructive batsman, who made his international debut in 1999, in an ODI against Pakistan in Mohali, bows out of cricket having played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20Is.
He remains the only Indian batsman to have recorded two triple centuries, one against Pakistan (309 in Multan) and the other against South Africa (319 in Chennai).