'You realise your impact only after you retire'
Virender Sehwag talks about why he hung up his boots when he did, flaws in the Indian domestic system, and his coaching ambitions
Interview by Gaurav Kalra
06-Jan-2016
Last year around this time I asked you when you were thinking of quitting the game and you said "two or three years" and here we are. What made you change your mind?
I am still playing the game. When I said two to three years, I meant domestic cricket and leagues like Masters Champions League (MCL) and All Stars. I was not playing international cricket then and I'm not playing it now. I have retired from international cricket and the IPL but I'm still playing. I will play another two to three years.
I am still playing the game. When I said two to three years, I meant domestic cricket and leagues like Masters Champions League (MCL) and All Stars. I was not playing international cricket then and I'm not playing it now. I have retired from international cricket and the IPL but I'm still playing. I will play another two to three years.
Have you reconsidered your retirement from international cricket?
No. Thirty-seven is a benchmark for me. Ashish Nehra is lucky that his body is so fit. He bowled really well in the IPL and deserved his place in the team. I am really happy for him and Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh. They are just 34 or 35, they can play international cricket for another two to three years, subject to fitness and performance. They are doing well in domestic games and they deserve their places. There are no regrets or reconsiderations and I'm happy living the retired life and getting ready for the MCL.
No. Thirty-seven is a benchmark for me. Ashish Nehra is lucky that his body is so fit. He bowled really well in the IPL and deserved his place in the team. I am really happy for him and Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh. They are just 34 or 35, they can play international cricket for another two to three years, subject to fitness and performance. They are doing well in domestic games and they deserve their places. There are no regrets or reconsiderations and I'm happy living the retired life and getting ready for the MCL.
A lot of people described you as "a complete original", a kind of player that has not been seen before. Is that something that you realise as well? Do you think you have changed the game and the approach to opening the batting in a fundamental way?
Do you think I'm that knowledgeable? I never thought like that and I knew my game better than anyone else. When I was growing up, I played a lot of ten- and 12-over games, and I would bat in the middle order. I got only ten-odd balls to face and I tried to score as much as I could. I applied the same approach in domestic and international cricket and people were appreciating my strike rate being more than 80 or 90 in Test cricket. I was just playing my game and not thinking that I have to score quickly or do something different except when I joined the team and wanted to bat like Tendulkar. I realised there could be only one Tendulkar and I changed my stance and backlift. I realised I should change my game and I did it. After that, I was playing with my own technique.
Do you think I'm that knowledgeable? I never thought like that and I knew my game better than anyone else. When I was growing up, I played a lot of ten- and 12-over games, and I would bat in the middle order. I got only ten-odd balls to face and I tried to score as much as I could. I applied the same approach in domestic and international cricket and people were appreciating my strike rate being more than 80 or 90 in Test cricket. I was just playing my game and not thinking that I have to score quickly or do something different except when I joined the team and wanted to bat like Tendulkar. I realised there could be only one Tendulkar and I changed my stance and backlift. I realised I should change my game and I did it. After that, I was playing with my own technique.
People say there is only one Sehwag as well...
Yes, because of my mindset and the impact I had on the team but there was only one Tendulkar.
Yes, because of my mindset and the impact I had on the team but there was only one Tendulkar.
Do you have people coming up to you and saying that I wish there were a couple of other people who would bat like Sehwag? People say David Warner is the young Sehwag. Do you think you have impacted the game in that way?
I don't know because when you play you don't realise the kind of impact you are making. You want to play day in and day out. If you ask the same question to Warner, he'll tell you that he is just playing his natural game. When he retires, people will say that he was an impact player in Test cricket. No other Australian opener played like that other than Michael Slater, who was very aggressive in Test matches as an opener. You don't realise that when you play. You only realise that when you retire.
I don't know because when you play you don't realise the kind of impact you are making. You want to play day in and day out. If you ask the same question to Warner, he'll tell you that he is just playing his natural game. When he retires, people will say that he was an impact player in Test cricket. No other Australian opener played like that other than Michael Slater, who was very aggressive in Test matches as an opener. You don't realise that when you play. You only realise that when you retire.
Why did you decide to not play in the IPL?
Indian players play in the IPL to get into the Indian team. There is no point playing in the IPL when I have retired from international cricket. I did not want a youngster to miss out because of me.
Indian players play in the IPL to get into the Indian team. There is no point playing in the IPL when I have retired from international cricket. I did not want a youngster to miss out because of me.
Manan Vohra can now play all the 14 games and if he does well, he can also get into the Indian team. I didn't want to stop a youngster from playing.
"I would love to be a coach, mentor or a batting consultant. I would love to commentate in Hindi, as most people who watch the game are more comfortable with Hindi in India rather than English"
Is that the only reason?
Yes, because I have earned a lot of money. I am not playing the game for money. If I do commentary, write articles or am an expert on a news channel, I can still earn money.
Yes, because I have earned a lot of money. I am not playing the game for money. If I do commentary, write articles or am an expert on a news channel, I can still earn money.
A lot of people talk about the positive and negative impact of the IPL. What do you think about the IPL's impact?
I think it is a platform for a young Indian player. If you look at 2000-01, when I joined the team, we took 20 games to get used to international cricket. Now, someone like Shikhar Dhawan, who has played in the IPL, is used to the pace, and he scored 180-odd on Test debut against Australia. When I or Yuvraj joined, our game was not great and we took 20-25 games to score 150 or 100. Look at KL Rahul. He went to Australia and got a hundred in his second Test there. That's the impact the IPL has had on a domestic player. There has been the negative impact of spot-fixing and match-fixing but it is the individual player's responsibility to look after that because if a player wants to do that it is difficult to stop him. It is the individual player's responsibility to play fairly.
I think it is a platform for a young Indian player. If you look at 2000-01, when I joined the team, we took 20 games to get used to international cricket. Now, someone like Shikhar Dhawan, who has played in the IPL, is used to the pace, and he scored 180-odd on Test debut against Australia. When I or Yuvraj joined, our game was not great and we took 20-25 games to score 150 or 100. Look at KL Rahul. He went to Australia and got a hundred in his second Test there. That's the impact the IPL has had on a domestic player. There has been the negative impact of spot-fixing and match-fixing but it is the individual player's responsibility to look after that because if a player wants to do that it is difficult to stop him. It is the individual player's responsibility to play fairly.
There are concerns about the impact of the IPL on the mindset of young players who only focus on T20. Some say cricket is taught in academies around the country now with the IPL in mind.
What is the harm if a domestic player plays in the IPL? It is only the good players who get selected to play. Give me one player who is not good and playing in the IPL. If he's good enough, he can get selected for India as well, as it is a platform. A lot of players like Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Warner and Glenn Maxwell were noticed at the IPL first. It is a platform for players all over the world and not just Indian players. If a player is playing the IPL and earning money, it is not his fault that he is not playing for India. He is not quitting the game. He is playing first-class, one-day cricket and the IPL. If the selectors don't pick him, what can the player do?
What is the harm if a domestic player plays in the IPL? It is only the good players who get selected to play. Give me one player who is not good and playing in the IPL. If he's good enough, he can get selected for India as well, as it is a platform. A lot of players like Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Warner and Glenn Maxwell were noticed at the IPL first. It is a platform for players all over the world and not just Indian players. If a player is playing the IPL and earning money, it is not his fault that he is not playing for India. He is not quitting the game. He is playing first-class, one-day cricket and the IPL. If the selectors don't pick him, what can the player do?
You have had two long stints in domestic cricket, one before your debut and one after you were dropped. Have things changed at the domestic level and what are the things that you would like to see happen?
I played three seasons and the gap between matches is three or four days. You play eight games in a row and only get three or four days off. You play one-dayers immediately after that and it is not fair on the fast bowlers to play back-to-back one-day games. Batsmen and spinners can manage. That's how Mohit Sharma got injured and he could not be a part of the Indian team. If you give two days off, his body will get rest and he can play. That's the problem. They want to finish first-class cricket as soon as possible instead of giving it more time.
I played three seasons and the gap between matches is three or four days. You play eight games in a row and only get three or four days off. You play one-dayers immediately after that and it is not fair on the fast bowlers to play back-to-back one-day games. Batsmen and spinners can manage. That's how Mohit Sharma got injured and he could not be a part of the Indian team. If you give two days off, his body will get rest and he can play. That's the problem. They want to finish first-class cricket as soon as possible instead of giving it more time.
I would give this suggestion to the BCCI. If they can consider this, and give respect to domestic cricket and the same rest period as international cricket, players have a chance of performing better. You can start in October and finish in March or February. Let's have a five-match window for domestic cricket. You have eight games, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final, and give proper rest periods, which will keep players fresh. I faced this problem as captain of Haryana - the players were not getting enough rest and it was difficult to play four four-day matches with a three-day break. My team bowled 150 overs and we had to bowl again after three days as I lost the toss. It is asking too much and difficult for the fast bowlers. We have to give longer breaks if you want to produce good fast bowlers.
The other thing is how state associations are run. You have had enough experiences with your state association. Is it a problem that state associations are not run very efficiently?
Yes. It is not just Delhi. There are other associations which have problems as well. You need to change things at the Under-19 and U-16 level because that's the problem area. If you pick over-age players, it is a problem that needs to be identified. If you have a player whose name and stature is big, you won't have this problem.
Yes. It is not just Delhi. There are other associations which have problems as well. You need to change things at the Under-19 and U-16 level because that's the problem area. If you pick over-age players, it is a problem that needs to be identified. If you have a player whose name and stature is big, you won't have this problem.
So will we see you in such a role?
No, there is a conflict of interest. I have my Sehwag International School. So I cannot be a part of it. I cannot be a selector but if any association wants me to be a part of it, I would love to do that. There are other cricketers who have a reputation but they are not getting the opportunity to be a part of the selection panels. What is happening is that the guys in power introduce names to the selectors and the selectors then act according to these people's whims.
No, there is a conflict of interest. I have my Sehwag International School. So I cannot be a part of it. I cannot be a selector but if any association wants me to be a part of it, I would love to do that. There are other cricketers who have a reputation but they are not getting the opportunity to be a part of the selection panels. What is happening is that the guys in power introduce names to the selectors and the selectors then act according to these people's whims.
I think there was a time when you were dropped from the Delhi U-19 team as well?
I never played U-16, and played two years of U-19 because I scored 150-odd for my club against the Delhi state team and hit 17 sixes. That is when they realised that I existed and could change the game.
I never played U-16, and played two years of U-19 because I scored 150-odd for my club against the Delhi state team and hit 17 sixes. That is when they realised that I existed and could change the game.
"If a player is playing the IPL and earning money, it is not his fault that he is not playing for India"
You have the three highest scores by an Indian in Test cricket. Which was the innings that gave you the greatest satisfaction?
The 293 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, because we won that match and became the top-ranked Test team. The Chennai Test was drawn and the Multan Test was the first of that series. We won another match and the series but 293 was the most satisfying. I took signatures of all the players on the shirt I had worn in that innings.
The 293 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, because we won that match and became the top-ranked Test team. The Chennai Test was drawn and the Multan Test was the first of that series. We won another match and the series but 293 was the most satisfying. I took signatures of all the players on the shirt I had worn in that innings.
You said recently that if there is one regret of yours, it is not having a 400 in Test cricket. Is that one thing you wanted to achieve?
There were two opportunities. When I scored 319, there were two days to go, and three days were left when I scored 293. I regret it as I had an opportunity but missed it. I am happy that I am the only one to have three scores in excess of 290.
There were two opportunities. When I scored 319, there were two days to go, and three days were left when I scored 293. I regret it as I had an opportunity but missed it. I am happy that I am the only one to have three scores in excess of 290.
Would you have liked to captain India more? Many observers like Ian Chappell said that you would have been fantastic captain.
I did captain India in all three formats. When Rahul [Dravid] resigned, I was not a part of the team. If I had been a part, probably I could have captained for a couple of years. I could have continued had I done well as a captain then, but it is all about opportunities. Dhoni was the right guy and he did a great job as captain. The important thing is that we won the World Cup and became the No. 1 Test team, which is what we sought to achieve. You can't fight with your luck.
I did captain India in all three formats. When Rahul [Dravid] resigned, I was not a part of the team. If I had been a part, probably I could have captained for a couple of years. I could have continued had I done well as a captain then, but it is all about opportunities. Dhoni was the right guy and he did a great job as captain. The important thing is that we won the World Cup and became the No. 1 Test team, which is what we sought to achieve. You can't fight with your luck.
A lot was written about your relationship with Dhoni.
We had a good relationship. People complained that I didn't thank him but I thanked all my colleagues. So that includes him.
We had a good relationship. People complained that I didn't thank him but I thanked all my colleagues. So that includes him.
Was it fine when you were dropped?
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
So was it all media speculation?
Yes, but you have to ask Dhoni as well. We went to London to play a charity game this year and had a good chat. That shows that we are friends because only friends have a chat, or else you mind your own business. We spoke about Indian cricket and strategies and we had a good time.
Yes, but you have to ask Dhoni as well. We went to London to play a charity game this year and had a good chat. That shows that we are friends because only friends have a chat, or else you mind your own business. We spoke about Indian cricket and strategies and we had a good time.
What's on your plate now? How would you like to be involved in the game, since you have a sharp brain?
I would love to be a coach, mentor or a batting consultant. I would love to commentate in Hindi as most people who watch the game are more comfortable with Hindi in India rather than English. If any IPL team wants me to be a mentor or a batting consultant, I would love to do that. I can share my knowledge with the youngsters.
I would love to be a coach, mentor or a batting consultant. I would love to commentate in Hindi as most people who watch the game are more comfortable with Hindi in India rather than English. If any IPL team wants me to be a mentor or a batting consultant, I would love to do that. I can share my knowledge with the youngsters.
What kind of a coach would you be?
I'll be a friend more than a coach. The moment you think I'm the head, you don't do the right things. If you're a friend, you let them do what they want, and that's the best part about cricket because everyone has a different mindset and you need to understand what they want to do and how they want to improve. I will just guide them the way I spoke to Warner, Maxwell, David Miller, Manan Vohra or Gurkeerat Mann. Gurkeerat is a good example as he doesn't practice for two or three hours in the nets but is always ready for the game. He has to tune his mind and I talked to him a lot and understood how he thinks. I gave him a couple of ideas and told him that he has to get 200 or 300 in domestic cricket to play Test cricket. He scored a double-hundred and is now a part of the Test team as well as the limited-overs teams.
I'll be a friend more than a coach. The moment you think I'm the head, you don't do the right things. If you're a friend, you let them do what they want, and that's the best part about cricket because everyone has a different mindset and you need to understand what they want to do and how they want to improve. I will just guide them the way I spoke to Warner, Maxwell, David Miller, Manan Vohra or Gurkeerat Mann. Gurkeerat is a good example as he doesn't practice for two or three hours in the nets but is always ready for the game. He has to tune his mind and I talked to him a lot and understood how he thinks. I gave him a couple of ideas and told him that he has to get 200 or 300 in domestic cricket to play Test cricket. He scored a double-hundred and is now a part of the Test team as well as the limited-overs teams.
You did very well as a team overseas. Do you think that travelling better should be the biggest focus area for India?
Yes. When I joined the team there were expectations that we will not do well abroad, but we did well in England, Australia, South Africa and the West Indies under Sourav's captaincy. We never won a series under him but when Dravid took over, we won in the West Indies and England. We started winning outside India under Sourav, though we didn't win a series despite coming close to defeating Australia in 2003-04. I was not a part of the team that won in England under Dravid but I was a part of the team in the West Indies and I contributed by scoring runs. We were proud of that team and these youngsters have to score outside Asia, like Virat, Vijay or Rahul have done. The one thing they have to realise when touring outside Asia is that they have to match the home team's first-innings performance. If they score 500 and you score 475, you are in the game because they will try to win the match and they will lose.
Yes. When I joined the team there were expectations that we will not do well abroad, but we did well in England, Australia, South Africa and the West Indies under Sourav's captaincy. We never won a series under him but when Dravid took over, we won in the West Indies and England. We started winning outside India under Sourav, though we didn't win a series despite coming close to defeating Australia in 2003-04. I was not a part of the team that won in England under Dravid but I was a part of the team in the West Indies and I contributed by scoring runs. We were proud of that team and these youngsters have to score outside Asia, like Virat, Vijay or Rahul have done. The one thing they have to realise when touring outside Asia is that they have to match the home team's first-innings performance. If they score 500 and you score 475, you are in the game because they will try to win the match and they will lose.
How would you like to be remembered?
With my record, everyone will cheer till the time I am alive but I want to be remembered as a good human being who helped a lot of people. We still remember Don Bradman for his average and hundreds. People will remember my record but I want to be remembered as a person who helped a lot of cricketers when they were going through a rough patch.
With my record, everyone will cheer till the time I am alive but I want to be remembered as a good human being who helped a lot of people. We still remember Don Bradman for his average and hundreds. People will remember my record but I want to be remembered as a person who helped a lot of cricketers when they were going through a rough patch.
Gaurav Kalra is a senior editor at ESPNcricinfo. @gauravkalra75