However, as late as on Saturday evening, Tendulkar hadn’t decided on his ODI future and it required a call from chief selector Sandeep Patil — more of a nudge than a push — for the most successful run-getter of all time to call time on his 50-over career. Tendulkar hadn’t opted out and that meant he was available for selection for the three ODIs against Pakistan.

To get a clearer picture, chief selector Patil spoke to Tendulkar on the phone. Patil informed Tendulkar that the consensus among the selectors was that Tendulkar had out-lived his ODI career and that they could not guarantee him a place in the squad. He also told Tendulkar that he was not keen to drop Tendulkar but at the same time it would be difficult to pick him, especially when youngsters were knocking on the door and also keeping in mind that the time had come to plan for the 2015 World Cup.

Patil also told Tendulkar that he should consider ‘moving on’ as far one-day cricket was concerned. After talking to Patil, Tendulkar decided to quit ODIs. Patil and Tendulkar also spoke to BCCI president N Srinivasan, it is learnt. Tendulkar’s decision spared the selectors of making the uncomfortable call of not picking Tendulkar for the series against Pakistan.

“It could have been a very tricky affair for Patil’s committee if Tendulkar had not quit ODIs. Tendulkar was no longer fitting into the selectors’ scheme of things as far as shorter format was concerned. But given his contribution to Indian cricket, it was important to ensure that there was no ill-will between him and the selection committee,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express.

The source said that the previous selection committee headed by K Srikkanth had not spoken to Tendulkar about his ODI future after India won the World Cup at home. “Srikkanth’s panel didn’t speak to Tendulkar regarding his future. Credit must be given to Patil for handling this very delicate issue with maturity,” the BCCI source said.