Former India chief selector Sandip Patil has revealed that legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar was left surprised after the selection committee began looking for his replacement. Tendulkar endured a prolonged lean patch following India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph until his retirement in 2013.
The clamour around his place in the team began to grow in 2012 after India suffered a 1–2 series defeat at home against England. Tendulkar finished the series with just 112 runs from six innings at an average of 18.66, with a highest score of 76. Following India’s defeat, Patil revealed that he had a conversation with the legendary batter, informing him about how the selection committee wanted to move on from him.
“I remember the last day of the India vs England Nagpur Test 2012 when we lost to England in 2012. My fellow selector, Rajendra Singh Hans, and I went to the ACU (Anti-Corruption Unit) to seek permission to meet Sachin Tendulkar. We obtained the manager’s permission and invited Tendulkar. I asked him, as the chairman, ‘What are your plans?’ The selection committee had decided that his contributions were not helping the team. The entire country turned against me, but we never dropped him. He announced his retirement from ODIs first and then Tests,” Patil said on Vickey Lalwani’s podcast.
Patil further revealed how Tendulkar eventually announced his retirement from ODIs a few days after the Test match and also bid adieu to Test cricket 12 months later.
How many runs did Sachin Tendulkar score in his career?
“He was surprised, and rightfully so. He said, ‘Why?’ I said the committee felt we needed to look at your replacement, and he was shocked. He called me again and asked, ‘Are you serious?’ I said yes. Later, when he decided to retire, he even called me and said, ‘Sandy, I am announcing my retirement.’ I feel sad that we had to take such a harsh decision. But look at the player who came in – Ajinkya Rahane,” Patil added.
Tendulkar finished his ODI career with 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, including 49 centuries and 96 fifties. In Tests, he ended his career with 15,921 runs from 200 matches at an average of 53.78, with 51 centuries and 68 fifties. He retired in front of a packed crowd at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, in November 2013.
