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PHOTOS: Great moment at Kotla! BCCI felicitates Sehwag

Last updated on: December 03, 2015 15:07 IST

 Virender Sehwag

IMAGE: BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, left, felicitates Virender Sehwag, as his sons Aryavir and Vedant look on. Photograph: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India felicitated the recently-retired Virender Sehwag at his home ground, Feroz Shah Kotla, on Thursday, before the start of the fourth Test between India and South Africa. 

Sehwag, who retired from international cricket this October, thanked his former India captains, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and the iconic Sachin Tendulkar for their guidance during his illustrious international career.

He, however, did not mention the name of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, under whom he played for the national team for almost six years.

In his brief farewell speech, he thanked everyone -- from the BCCI to the Delhi and District Cricket Association to his first coach, A N Sharma, and Satish Sharma, who first picked him for Delhi's Under-19 team.

"I want to thank my father for allowing me to play the game of cricket and giving me freedom to do whatever I wanted to. All my coaches, especially A N Sharma, for making me the cricketer I am," the 37-year-old said.

He also had words of gratitude for his close friends, including Delhi Under-19 coach Raju Sharma.

When it came to the captains, Sehwag said: "I want to thank my first captain, Ajay Jadeja, and other captains, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble. I want to thank Sachin Tendulkar."

He also acknowledged the contribution of the physios and trainers during his 14-year career.

Virender Sehwag

 

With Parliament in session, BCCI secretary and BJP MP Anurag Thakur presented Sehwag a silver plaque commemorating his achievements. 

While the DDCA is yet to name a stand or gallery dedicated to the 'Nawab of Najafgarh', the BCCI has temporarily named the far-end stand at the Ambedkar Stadium-end as ‘Viru 319’ after the batsman's highest Test score.

Virender Sehwag

 

The BCCI, on its Twitter handle, wrote, “BCCI felicitates @virendersehwag. Great moment at Kotla.”

Sehwag also took to social media and posted a picture of his sons (Aryavir and Vedant) with South Africa great AB de Villiers.

In the end, he thanked fans for "making me Sehwag".

"I would like to thank all my fans for standing by me in my good and bad times," he said.

Virender Sehwag

 

Sehwag was accompanied by his mother Krishna Sehwag, wife Aarti and sons Aryavir and Vedant at the short ceremony.

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