To paraphrase Mark Twain, the report of my retirement yesterday was exaggerated! However, I have always done what I felt was right and not what conformists thought to be right. God has been kind and I have done what I wanted to do — on the field and in my life. And I had decided some time back that I will retire on my 37th birthday. So today, while I spend my day with my family, I hereby announce my retirement from all forms of International Cricket and from the Indian Premier League.
Cricket has been my life and continues to be so. Playing for India was a memorable journey and I tried to make it more memorable for my teammates and the Indian cricket fans. I believe that I was reasonably successful in doing so. For that, I wish to thank all my teammates over the years — some of the greatest players of the game. I would like to thank all my captains who believed in me and backed me to the hilt. I also thank our greatest partner, the Indian cricket fan, for all the love, support and memories.
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I have also played against a lot of great players and it was an absolute pleasure and honour to do so. It was possibly the greatest motivation there was to play to the best of my ability. I have lived my dream and played at the finest of cricket grounds across the globe and I want to thank the groundsmen, clubs, associations and everyone who painstakingly prepare the arena for our performances.
I miss my father today, he was there when the journey started and I wish he could have been there today as well but I know I made him proud and wherever he is today, he is watching me with pride. I want to thank my coach, Mr AN Sharma sir, who was possibly the only coach who could have groomed me into the player that I became. I would probably have struggled to play for my school under any other coach. My mother, my wife Aarti and my children Aaryavir and Vedant are my biggest strength and their presence in my life keeps my mind without fear and head held high. I would like to thank the BCCI for all its support over the years...
I would also like to thank the Delhi and District Cricket Association and particularly Mr. Arun Jaitley who always supported me and sought our feedback and implemented what the players wanted and his presence ensured that I always had someone to rely upon personally...
I would also like to thank the ONGC… ONGC gave me the security to pursue my game... I also want to thank everyone for all the cricketing advice given to me over the years and I apologise for not accepting most of it! I had a reason for not following it; I did it my way!
Number Scoring 319 Holds the record for the highest Test score at a strike rate of over 100. Achieved it against South Africa in Chennai (2008), where he made 319 at a strike rate of 104.93 250 Fastest 250 in Tests in terms of balls faced. Took 207 deliveries to reach the milestone 200 Holds record for the 2nd fastest double century in ODIs. Took 140 deliveries. World record held by Chris Gayle, who completed it in 138 2 Hit the 2nd highest number of fours in a Test innings — 47 against Pakistan in Lahore, 2006. World record of 52 held by England’s John Edrich 91 Most sixes in Tests among Indians. World record held by Adam Gilchrist, who hit 100 1 Only Indian to score a Test triple century Record for fastest 150/200/250/300 in Tests among Indians. Record for fastest ODI double century among Indians. 3 Sehwag & Don Bradman are the only batsmen to make three Test scores of 290-plus |
His Famous Quotes “Is he bowling or begging?” To close-in fielders after Shoaib Akhtar sledged him. Pakistani players reportedly burst into laughter. “Our bank balance.” On the difference between him and Sachin Tendulkar. “Beta beta hota hai, baap baap hota hai” (Father is father, and son’s a son) To Shoaib Akhtar in the next over, after Sachin had hooked him for a six. |