‘Are you serious?’ – Sandeep Patil reveals Sachin Tendulkar’s reaction on ‘replacement’ discussion

Former BCCI Chief Selector Sandeep Patil has revealed shocking details about conversations surrounding the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar is widely considered as the greatest batter the game has ever seen. He is the highest run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket, and his mark of 100 international centuries stands tall amongst all records in cricket.

His retirement in front of a packed Wankhede crowd in November 2013 was an occasion of great fanfare, emotion and splendour. But despite this, as now revealed by the former BCCI Chief Selector, talks on Tendulkar’s retirement started the year prior.

The 1983 World Cup winner revealed that these talks led to Tendulkar being left in shock. Patil had asked the veteran what his plans regarding retirement were, which prompted the conversations. The discussion saw Tendulkar express shock at the thought oif being replaced in the Indian team.

“I asked him as a selector, what are your plans? He said, ‘Why?’ I told him the committee was looking for a replacement. He was shocked. He called me again – are you serious? I said yes,” revealed Patil in an interview.

Patil further added that retirement decisions have to come from players, and the board and selectors cannot force a player into retiring against his will.

“Selectors can drop a player. Selectors cannot tell a player his career is over. We asked his plans. He said he wanted to continue. We said okay,” Patil said.

Patil still feels that despite Tendulkar’s retirement coming during his tenure, he believes his time as chief selector should be looked upon with a bit more favour for introducing world-beaters like Jasprit Bumrah Mohammed Shami, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane.

“I understand why people were angry. He is Sachin Tendulkar. But Shami came in. Bumrah came in. Ashwin, Jadeja, Rahane. Nobody talks about those picks. They only remember that we dropped Sachin,” Patil said.