Virender Sehwag dropped from ODI squad against England
New Delhi, Jan 07: India’s selectors gave a hint of things to come for the national team that’s going through one of its poorest runs in international cricket. Senior batsman and one of the mainstays of the team in all formats, Virender Sehwag was dropped from the ODI squad for the first three ODIs against England beginning January 11.India had been persisting with their jaded, out-of-form veterans while denying opportunities to young players in prime fitness and form. Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement and Sehwag’s axing has signalled that the status quo would change albeit through one adjustment at a time.
Coming into the squad at Sehwag’s expense is India’s new broad-blade in the classical mould, Cheteshwar Pujara. The 24-year-old scored a stunning double hundred against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, with his last 50 coming in a mere 17 balls.
Pujara is known more for his ability to play the long knock, something India desperately needs at the top of their batting order. In the three ODIs against Pakistan, they had starts of 29-5, 103-6 and 111-6. In the last two games, they were bowled out in the 160s.
Since his comeback from a shoulder surgery in 2011, Sehwag has produced one ODI innings of note – his 219 against the West Indies. After that innings, he has passed fifty just once in 11 innings.
