Sehwag will never play for India again: Boycott

Saying he would be missed in international cricket, Geoffrey Boycott feels Virender Sehwag will never play for India again. Sehwag was recently dropped from the Indian Test squad against Australia and did not figure among the probables for the ICC Champions Trophy in June this year.

Boycott paid tribute to one of the world's best entertainers but was categorical when he told ESPNcricinfo that Indian selectors are unlikely to include the Delhi veteran any time soon.

"Some retire themselves and some are retired by the selectors. Whatever it is, this hurts. Sehwag will never play again and I think India is going the right way," said Boycott in his weekly show.

Boycott gave Indian selectors thumbs up for giving fresh batsmen a chance and felt building for the 2015 World Cup was important. "Age is not a barrier but it’s all about performance," Boycott said indicating Sehwag didn't deserve to be in the scheme of things considering his run with the bat.

The former England batsman, known for his classical approach to batting, rated Sehwag as an "effortless stroke maker" with a range of strokes that typified the "man's happy-go-luck" nature.

"He (Sehwag) wasn't a slogger and his free-flowing batting will never be forgotten," said Boycott, who added: “I would have loved to bat with him because the bowlers would only focus on him and I would make 20-30 runs without getting noticed."

At best, Boycott feels, Sehwag will play a few Indian Premier League matches "and then face away." "Most of them do but Sehwag was brilliant and he will never be forgotten," said the Englishman.