The pain will always remain: Sehwag

Virender Sehwag says the sadness of being "deprived of a farewell game shall always remain" in his mind.

"Had the selectors told me that they were going to drop me, I could have requested them to allow me to play my last Test in Delhi and then announce my retirement, but they did not give me that opportunity.

"A sort of sadness shall always remain in my mind that I was not allowed to retire while playing, but anyway, it's all a part of life for a sportsman, who, while playing, never realises when he should retire, but he starts thinking about it when he is dropped," Sehwag said.

"I would like to ask, does a player who has played 12 to 13 years for his country not deserve a farewell match?"

When told that there was a farewell for him planned during during the forthcoming Test between India and South Africa starting December 3, Sehwag said, "If that is so, it will be good. It's not a question of me alone, every player who retires should get a farewell."