Virender Sehwag Did Not Want a Farewell Match: Coach AN Sharma

'Virender Sehwag retired hurt?' was a headline splashed on a television channel yesterday as news trickled in about India's most brutal batsman hanging his boots. The report was about Sehwag, who turned 37 yesterday, asked for a farewell match which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly did not grant. (Four Selectors Did Not Want Virender Sehwag, Recalls Madan Lal)

Sehwag's childhood coach AN Sharma did not find any basis to that story. "Sehwag wanting a farewell match... no, never. He has never asked anyone; neither did he want one. It was me who wished for it (a farewell match). What saddens me is that he didn't get what he deserved," Sharma told mid-day from New Delhi yesterday. (Impossible to Match Sehwag: Dhoni)

Selfless Sehwag

"He gave India so many victories and several memorable moments, but he wasn't treated in a right way after he was out of the Indian team. Even the DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association), did not honour him well and that is why he decided to move to Haryana (for the ongoing Ranji Trophy season). He didn't get enough support. India can never find another Sehwag. He is a gifted player... a rare talent. He was a selfless player," added Sharma. (I Have Done What I Wanted to Do: Sehwag | 7 Magnificent Knocks)

Cricket fans across the world may have never got a chance to witness the genius of Sehwag had it not been for his childhood coach. The Nawab of Najafgarh, who retired from international cricket and the Indian Premier League with immediate effect yesterday, paid special tribute to his guru in his official statement. (Viru's Instinctive Approach was Lovable: Tendulkar)

Thank you sir

He said: "I want to thank my coach Mr AN Sharma sir who was possibly the only coach who could have groomed me into the player I became. I would probably have struggled to play for my school under any other coach." (Sehwag Does Not Want to be Remembered as India's Only Triple Centurion)

Sharma explained his coaching style: "My basic idea is about developing the player. That is what I feel is quality coaching. I would make subtle changes to his technique without him knowing.

"For example, I showed him a couple of grips to hold the bat and made him judge for himself which one was comfortable. I never believed in forcing anything (on him). These coaching manuals are useless. Every kid has his own way of playing and in this way, they also enjoy the game." (There Will Never be Another: Gambhir)