The puzzling selection of Sehwag..

An interesting decision may very well extend the worries of Yuvraj Singh once again. While the tour match pointed to Dravid opening the innings, and Yuvraj playing in the middle order, now there are reports which say that maybe Sehwag will open and Yuvraj will again have to wait. Now the question here is, why does Virender Sehwag even come in the fray? Let us go back a bit, and find out why he was dropped. He was dropped from the test team, because he was not playing well in the one-dayers. Sounds amusing, isn’t it? His record in tests is by far the best amongst recent Indian openers, and the problem was that he was not making runs in one-day internationals. Yet he was first dropped from the test team, then the one-dayers. Then he was selected in 20-20. Now he figures in the test team against Australia on the premise that he played well 4 years ago in Australia. Ever heard any more ludicrous explanation of any player getting selected? Sure he is a gifted player, and sure he should never have been ousted of the test team, but the logic of his selection now defies me. As they say, two wrongs do not make a right. And what incentive does it leave for players like Gautam Gambhir, Akash Chopra (who was equally instrumental 4 years ago in India’s performance against Australia) and Parthiv Patel, who have done well with the bat in the domestic season, as against Sehwag, who has literally done nothing. If that was the logic of his selection, even Ajit Agarkar should have gone. And in every series against every country, we should include those players who played well in the last series against that country. I somehow do not understand it. It may all turn out to be great if Viru fires, but the decision in itself sets incorrect precedents.

 

Secondly, Sunil Gavaskar has asked Indian team to take tough decisions and exclude Yuvraj Singh or Laxman from the squad and ask Sehwag to open. Mr. Gavaskar, there is a thin line between bravery and stupidity, and this decision may very well be on the other side. Isn’t asking Dravid to open a tough enough decision? Isn’t Dravid the most capable Indian batsman on such tracks? So shouldn’t we be brave enough to ask him to open (for he anyway is in the middle by 5 overs), and make room for Yuvraj, given his current form. On what parameter does Sehwag deserve his inclusion ahead of Laxman and Yuvraj? Somehow all this defies logic. The simple logic as I see it is - When in Australia, play you best team on current form. Not the best team as per the form 4 years ago!

 

I wish I am proven wrong if Sehwag plays, though more than that I wish that Yuvraj plays. He may be very instrumental in this tour against Australia, but only if he plays.