WHEN SEHWAG SAID HE DESERVED A FAREWELL TEST BEFORE RETIREMENT

WHEN SEHWAG SAID HE DESERVED A FAREWELL TEST BEFORE RETIREMENT 

There is no question of allowance of a farewell Test match for even a great cricketer when he is not performing and wishes to retire thus in grace. The country comes first, not the player who feels he deserves an additional Test match despite a continuous string of failures when he was given the chance to perform and retain his place in the team. In the event of such a string of failures past performances should not count as reason for continuance any further in the team. The best eleven must be chosen and in this there is no room for emotional accommodation of a past performer if the country's future cricketing prospects are to be safeguarded. Hence, Sehwag's plea for a farewell Test postscript today is understandable but unwarranted. This may seem a hard stance to take but is entirely justified under the circumstances. The plea for a farewell Test despite continuous failure is a bit sentimental and selfish. What may be a prudent practice perhaps is to better communicate with the player concerned about the Board's intentions in his regard. Then such heartbreaks will not happen. A proper procedure in place will prepare all players for the inevitable event of retirement from the game in grace.

Written by Sugata Bose