Former India chief selector Sandip Patil has revealed that legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar was surprised when the selection committee started looking for his replacement. After India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph, Tendulkar endured an extended period of weight loss until his retirement in 2013.
Confusion over his place in the team began to build in 2012 after India suffered a 1–2 series defeat at home to England. Tendulkar finished the series with just 112 runs from six innings at an average of 18.66, with a top score of 76. After India’s defeat, Patil revealed that he had a chat with the legendary batsman and informed him about how the selection committee wanted to move on from him.
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“I remember the last day of the India vs England Nagpur 2012 Test 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 got the manager’s permission and invited Tendulkar. I asked him what are your plans? The selection committee decided that his the team’s contributions don’t help. The whole country turned against me, but we never dropped him. First he announced his retirement from ODIs and then from Tests,” Patil said on the Vicky Lalwani podcast.
Patil further revealed how Tendulkar he eventually announced his retirement from ODIs a few days after the Test match and also bid farewell 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’m announcing my retirement.’ I’m sorry we had to make such a tough decision. But look at the player who has come – Ajinkya Rahane,” Patil added.
Tendulkar ended his ODI career with 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, including 49 centuries and 96 fifties. In Tests, he finished his career with 15,921 runs from 200 matches at an average of 53.78, with 51 centuries and 68 fifties. He left in front of a packed crowd at his home groundWankhede Stadium in Mumbai, in November 2013.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
12 March 2026 20:31 IST
