New Delhi: Revealing that he wanted to retire at the top of his game, Virender Sehwag on Wednesday said that it was iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar who stopped him from calling it quits after the swashbuckling opener was dropped from the Indian team in 2007.

Sehwag finally retired on his 37th birthday on October 20, more than two-and-a-half years after his last appearance for the national team.

"Every player wants to retire at the top of his international game. Had I also retired while playing international cricket, I could have given a retirement speech. But fate had something else in store for me," Sehwag told a TV channel.

"I was planning to retire in 2007 when I was dropped from the team, but Tendulkar stopped me from doing so," he added.

Sehwag's career ended after he was dropped from the Indian squad following the second Test against Australia in March 2013 and he could never find his way back.

The destructive opener rued that the selectors did not give him enough chances and dropped him after a few failures.

"The selectors did not ask me about my future plans before dropping me during the Australia series in 2013. Had the selectors told me about their decision, I could have announced my retirement in that series," said Sehwag.

Sehwag, however, may get a chance to give a retirement speech at the Kotla with the BCCI mulling to give the senior batsman an official farewell during the fourth and final Test match between India and South Africa, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, from December 3-7.

He admitted that his family was not happy with his retirement. "Both my sons were upset. But it doesn't matter to me," he said.

Sehwag rated Anil Kumble as the best captain he had played under. "Anil Kumble was the best captain I have played with. He used to boost our confidence level."

Sehwag had also heaped praise on Sourav Ganguly after his retirement, saying that he wouldn't have flourished as an opener if the former India captain hadn't sacrificed his opening spot in limited-overs format.

"Sourav sacrificed his place to allow me to open with Sachin Tendulkar. I am the luckiest one as Sourav had love for me and had confidence in me," Sehwag had said.

"Initially I was seen only as a one-day cricketer but Sourav backed me and gave me opportunity for which I will always be thankful to him till the time I am associated with cricket...

"If Sourav hadn't backed me, perhaps I wouldn't have played Test cricket and wouldn't have scored these many runs and hundreds," said Sehwag.

About his future plans, he said: "I will always be connected with this game. If I get an offer from the BCCI or any commentary offers, I will consider it. My commentary would be straight forward like my batting."

A veteran of 104 Tests and 251 one-dayers, Sehwag scored 8,586 runs at an average of 47.35 in the longer version and 8,273 runs in the 50-over format. He is captaining Haryana in Ranji Trophy.

Sehwag has also become the latest high-profile former cricketer to confirm his participation at the inaugural Cricket All-Stars series, co-promoted by Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, in the US next month.

"Warm welcome to my friend & a batsman with his distinct style! @virendersehwag joins us at @T20AllStars #10DaystoGo," tweeted Sachin.

Warne tweeted: "@virendersehwag Welcome to the #cricketallstars buddy !!!! See you in NY & congrats on a wonderful career champion".

However, his decision means he will miss part of Haryana's Ranji Trophy campaign. Sehwag scored a century against Karnataka.

Anirudh Chaudhry, secretary of the state's cricket association, insisted that Sehwag's absence will not be a matter of worry. "Every match he is part of this team is huge for the players," Anirudh said. "Once a player has announced his international retirement, anything he contributes at the Ranji level should be gleefully accepted by us."