Virender Sehwag today paid rich tributes to Rahul Dravid, who has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, saying the Bangalore stalwart's performance would be sorely missed, as nobody could possibly match him.
"I don't think a player like Rahul Dravid can come into the Indian cricket team (again). Especially his performance in overseas matches can be hardly matched by any player," Sehwag told reporters at a promotional event here.
Sehwag, who had put on a mammoth stand of 410 for the first wicket with Dravid against Pakistan in the opening Test at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium in January 2006, said he was happy that the `Wall' had has quit the game on his own terms.
"I am happy he retired on his terms and conditions. He said his time was up when he wished to retire," said the Delhi batsman who has been rested for the Asia Cup in Dhaka.
Sehwag also said that the retired batsman held a special place in his heart. "It was an honour and privilege for me to play with him for 10 years. He is very humble and helpful. He is a team man. I share a good relation with him and he has a special place in my heart."
The 39-year-old Dravid ended his Test career with 13,288 runs -- behind only Tendulkar (15,470 in 188 Tests) -- from 164 matches, with 36 hundreds and 63 half centuries at an average of 52.31, the 270 against Pakistan being his highest score. He scored 10,889 runs in 344 ODIs with 12 hundreds.
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