Virender Sehwag retires: Cricket fraternity, politicians hail Viru's achievements

The cricketing fraternity on 20 October paid glorious tributes to just-retired Virender Sehwag with India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading from the front, comparing his destructive batting with that of legendary Viv Richards.

Didn't see Viv Richards bat in person but I can proudly say I have witnessed Virender Sehwag tearing apart the best bowling attacks

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015

Talent in batting is one thing but to have the mindset of Virupa in batting is as close to impossible as it can get.v keep saying b positive

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015

Look for a single but he was one person who was always looking for a boundary.many will try to play like u but my advice wd b to enjoy ur

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015

Batting and be themselves.congrats on a fantastic career

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015

Sehwag, one of the world's most destructive batsmen to have played the game, on 20 October announced his retirement from international cricket and the Indian Premier League, bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning 14 years.

Sehwag had already hinted about his imminent retirement at a function in Dubai on Monday and chose his 37th birthday yesterday to put an end to his amazing career and said he was grateful to have done things his way.

India Test skipper Virat Kohli, who started his career along aside Sehwag in Delhi Ranji team, termed the dashing right-hander as a "modern day legend".

Pleasure to have played with you @virendersehwag bhai. What an amazing career. Thanks for the guidance and the memories. Modern day legend!

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 20, 2015

Sehwag's another Delhi teammate Shikhar Dhawan wrote: "The original opener; the dare devil. Congratulations @virendersehwag paaji on a wonderful journey & all the best for the future. Rab Raakha."

The original opener; the dare devil. Congratulations @virendersehwag paaji on a wonderful journey & all the best for the future. Rab Raakha

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) October 20, 2015

Former India batsman VVS Laxman also tweeted: "Congrats bratha @virendersehwag on a fabulous career.A pure entertainer who gave us sooo much joy . Thanks for all the gr8 memories."

Congrats bratha @virendersehwag on a fabulous career.A pure entertainer who gave us sooo much joy . Thanks for all the gr8 memories.#LEGEND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 20, 2015

Zaheer Khan, who himself announced his retirement last week, said Sehwag's mindset while batting separated him from the rest.

Clear thinking n attacking stroke play is been hallmark of ur batting! thank u @virendersehwag for grt memories & wonderful friendship!!

— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) October 20, 2015

Some of Sehwag's former teammates, Indian cricket legends, foreign cricketers and politicians too joined in lauding him.

Clear thinking and entertainment were things he used as his weapon.A thorough entertainer,congrats on a wonderful career @virendersehwag .

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 20, 2015

Salute salute salute Salute to the Legend @virendersehwag wish you and family the best for future. Go well brother🙏🙏🙏💪💪💪💪

— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) October 20, 2015

Well done on your career legend. Been a privilege to play with and against you. Catch up soon. @virendersehwag https://t.co/gVrOjskOfc

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) October 20, 2015

There was rural aura of VSehwag which endeared him 2 masses & he created same fear in opposition as STendulkar!Hail Sehwag now & Always...!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) October 20, 2015

What a joy you were to watch @virendersehwag, in parts sublime & in parts exasperating but always exciting. We shall miss watching you play.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) October 20, 2015

Sehwag is the only triple centurion in Tests for India having scored career-best knock of 319 against Pakistan at Multan, which also is an Indian record. He is also one of those rare batsmen to have scored two triple ton with his next one (309) coming against South Africa.

In 251 ODIs, he accumulated 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 and scored 15 hundreds apart from hitting 38 fifties. In 19 Twenty20 Internationals, he managed 394 runs with two half-centuries.

He has been a part of two World Cup winning teams under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership - 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.