Virender Sehwag Retirement Ends Glorious Chapter in Indian cricket

The Fab Five of Indian Team

Virender Sehwag's retirement from international cricket also brought the curtain down on a glorious chapter in Indian cricket. A group of supremely skillful batsmen and driven cricketers, called the 'Fab 5', helped take Indian cricket to unprecedented heights, culminating in the team ascending the numero uno status in Tests for the first time, late in 2009.

Virender Sehwag Retirement Ends Glorious Chapter in Indian cricket

The members of this celebrated, and now venerated, group were Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sehwag. These men gave wings to the imagination of the Indian cricket fan, enthralled connoisseurs world over, brought dignity and grace to the sport and gave us fond memories to last a lifetime. With Sehwag closing the door on his career, this golden chapter passes into history.

Seldom in cricket history, such brilliance has come together in one team. If one has to look for similar quality in one line-up, the mind goes to the feared pace battery of West Indies in the late 1970s and early 1980s when the Caribbeans used to field Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner with the likes of Colin Croft and Sylvester Clarke waiting in the wings.

The 'Fab 5' had almost everything that a true cricket fan could ask for. When playing, they were like a classical ensemble, profound, rich and in perfect rhythm. Yet, the orchestra was capable of changing gears and reaching buoyant crescendos as and when the situation demanded.

They pooled their resources to lift the team. But while they complemented each other, they carved their own distinct niche. Their purpose bound them, their styles separated them. They made you think of the great playback singers of yesteryears who were so different from each other. One line and you could know whether it was Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh, Hemant, Talat or Manna Dey.

Similarly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag had refreshingly different styles of expressing themselves with the willow. Tendulkar was the supremo, the modern Bradman who was just about perfect in everything he did in the middle. Dravid was the epic hero who combined great technique with mammoth powers of concentration. Ganguly was the fighter who batted with flair and tenacity while also marshalling his resources as captain. Laxman was the silent assassin whose batting was poetry in motion. Sehwag was the enforcer who rewrote the rules of batsmanship with his exceptional skill and amazing audacity.

The 'Fab 5' earned great respect for Indian cricket and renown for themselves for the way they were on and off the field. Tendulkar remains the biggest cricketer ever in terms of brand value and impact. Ganguly, now a leading cricket administrator, was a consummate general who gave belief to the Indian team and began the process which culminated in India gaining No. 1 status in Test cricket and winning the World Cup in 2011.

Dravid, for many the best Indian Test batsman ever, is one of the most respected modern cricketers for not only his exploits on the field, but also as a statesman who has given a lot back to the game. Laxman has been hailed as one of the most elegant batsmen of modern times and a gentleman cricketer who everyone loved.

Sehwag was the odd man out in the group with his 'desi' background which he, of course, was most comfortable with. In fact, it was his untutored mind which let him play and live the way he has. He has little patience for things socially and politically correct. It showed in the outrageously effective way he has batted.

The stats tell the tale of their monumental achievements. But these men are worth much more than the numbers. They have been wonderful ambassadors of the game. The added value to the sport they were part of and left the fans with many stories grand kids will be hearing in times to come.

'Fab 5,' you will be missed by Every Indians !