Sehwag to feature in Cricket All-Stars

Virender Sehwag has become the latest high-profile former cricketer to confirm his participation at the inaugural Cricket All-Stars series, co-promoted by Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, in the USA next month. However, his decision means he will miss part of Haryana's Ranji Trophy campaign. Sehwag scored a century in his most recent match for them, against Karnataka in Mysore.

Warm welcome to my friend & a batsman with his distinct style! @virendersehwag joins us at @T20AllStars #10DaystoGo pic.twitter.com/qL1OsaKyej

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 27, 2015

Anirudh Chaudhary, Secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association, told ESPNcricinfo that Sehwag had said he would miss one game for the state side, which they were "absolutely okay" with. Chaudhary confirmed that Sehwag would be playing Haryana's next match against Bengal starting on Friday, October 30, in Rohtak before leaving for the US.

While Sehwag will surely miss Haryana's next match against Assam, starting November 7, it appears unlikely that he will be back in India in time for the one after that, against Odisha on November 15. The All-Stars matches are scheduled for November 7 in New York, November 11 in Houston and November 14 in Los Angeles. Chaudhary conceded that Sehwag would struggle to return in time for the match against Odisha "if he plays all the matches", but insisted the association wasn't perturbed about his absence.

.@virendersehwag Welcome to the #cricketallstars buddy !!!! See you in NY & congrats on a wonderful career champion

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) October 27, 2015

"Every match he is part of this team is huge for this team," he said. "Every interaction with him benefits the players. We are looking at him mentoring the players and our objective is achieved by his presence around the squad. Once a player has announced his international retirement, anything he contributes at Ranji level we should gleefully accept."

Sehwag had announced his retirement from international cricket last week and joins VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Ajit Agarkar as the former India internationals who will play in the USA. However, Sehwag is the only player still playing domestic cricket. He has also signed up for the Masters Champions League, another tournament featuring retired players, expected to be held in January in the UAE.