Viru says Team India seniors won’t retire

The last rites of its 0-4 Australian series rout completed, a decimated Team India was in denial Saturday as both the management and stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag backed the veterans and rejected reports that Rahul Dravid’s retirement was imminent.

The last rites of its 0-4 Australian series rout completed, a decimated Team India was in denial Saturday as both the management and stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag backed the veterans and rejected reports that Rahul Dravid’s retirement was imminent.

Sehwag, who led the team in the Adelaide Test, said any drastic change to the team’s composition was up to the selectors and the cricket board.

But he pleaded with fans to back the team in its lowest hour.

“Reports about senior players retiring are baseless,” echoed team manager GS Walia.

The local media showed the visitors no mercy, calling Sachin Tendulkar a “mime artist” for not showing up at the press conference. Defending the Little Master, Sehwag said, “He never gives interviews before, during or after a series. Whenever he scores a 100 or more, he comes in and handles the media.”

The 298-run loss was India’s eighth overseas defeat in a row.