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India must take a call on Sehwag's spot - Dravid

ESPNcricinfo staff

March 6, 2013

Comments: 214 | Text size: A | A

Rahul Dravid on how India should handle the Virender Sehwag problem

India's selectors and management must decide whether they want Virender Sehwag to open in Tests in South Africa at the end of the year, and if not, they must give someone else the opportunity to find his feet in familiar conditions, Rahul Dravid has said. The Indian selectors are due to pick the squad for the last two Tests against Australia on Thursday, but ESPNcricinfo understands no changes are expected.

A chink in India's commanding victories in the first two Tests in Chennai and Hyderabad was their opening partnership, which produced 11, 16 and 17. While M Vijay found form in Hyderabad with 167, Sehwag aggregated 27 in three innings.

He had made only 253 runs in seven innings during the home series against England last year, 117 of those coming in one innings in Ahmedabad. He also failed to score a half-century in two home Tests against New Zealand. On India's last overseas assignment, in Australia, Sehwag made 198 runs in eight innings. After the two remaining matches against Australia, India have no more Tests scheduled before their trip to South Africa at the end of the year.

"I think the selectors and management need to decide whether they are going to open with Viru (Virender) in South Africa," Dravid told ESPNcricinfo. "I mean Viru playing well, Viru at his best, is a great asset to any side, but the reality is that he hasn't been performing particularly well, and he hasn't really done well on overseas trips over the last two or three years. If they feel confident about opening with Sehwag in South Africa, then I think it makes sense to continue with Sehwag and give him the opportunity to get that confidence."

Dravid said there was also the option of moving Sehwag to the middle order, and if that was the case, then India should blood the replacement opener in home conditions before taking him to face the new ball in South Africa. The reserve opener in the squad for the first two Tests against Australia was Delhi batsman Shikhar Dhawan.

"If they are going to look ahead, I think there could be a realistic possibility of Sehwag coming into the middle order," Dravid said. "You know if opportunities open up at some stage, maybe Sachin is going to move on, then I think Viru is the man with the experience to be able to come in and bat in the middle order. He has said in the past that he would like to, and that could be an option.

If that is the route India is going to take then I think it makes sense to try out another youngster, or try out another opener, and give him the opportunity to play at least a couple of Test matches in more familiar conditions, before going to South Africa. I think it will be unfair on any young opener to be asked to go to South Africa straightaway, and play against the likes of Steyn, Philander and Morkel."

Posted by BHARATLIFE on (March 7, 2013, 1:41 GMT) - Featured comment

Dravid the gentlemen and thinker that he often is,neither being theatric nor apathetic.He has addressed the issues well. In my humble opinion ,the way South Africans are bowling, it will not make a huge difference with 2 tests. I will be proud Indian if we can manage at lest 180 everytime we bat in SA. Viru, i love him , but for the past 3 innings,it looks like a man with straight jacket, it look more like he does not want to attack, one sign in that he would atlest use his bat to defend not let it go.Rather, than looking for future and obliterating another young guy's confidence, send the normal team, and let them be battered. If they play well and even win(infinitely impossible :) ) then bonus. I think we should re-asses from South Africa, onwards, they might as well bring back Ghambhir, because Steyn struggles with lefties,. Let us face it, all teams (NZ,AUS,ENG,PAK) have faced the wrath,it is highly unlikely we will !!

Posted by Vnott on (March 6, 2013, 15:32 GMT) - Featured comment

Funny thing about Sehwag is he could easily score a hundred or two in the remaining two tests without anyone realizing he was ever out of form. But it is likely that the selectors patience has run out and Rahane or Dhawan do deserve a game. Dravids observation merits a serious think purely from one point of view. If Sachin does not go to South Africa who will occupy no:4 slot. Badri has had a horror run in the domestic season since his injury ( he was the best choice for many years but the selectors kept him out). Manoj Tiwary or Raina can come in. Since there are not many good spinners in SA, Yuvraj also can come in. But Sehwag as a counter punching no:4 or 5 is a very real option in SA. Jadeja at 6 does not stand even a iota of a chance to succeed in SA and for that matter Vijay inspite of the 167 is highly unlikely to succeed in SA. Pujara and Virat will be the fulcrum of the side. Sehwag at 4 or 5 cant be discounted. Gambhir is likely to be back in SA too.

Posted by mohnish0102 on (March 6, 2013, 13:41 GMT) - Featured comment

I love to see Viru hitting the bowlers all around the park. "On his day" he can make Steyn, Ajmal, Philander or any other top class bowlers cry literally. But...and I repeat "But" that happens once in 10 innings and off-late doesn't happen at all. Cricket India can't afford to keep Viru as a 'surprise package' and think that if he gets going, he'll bail us out of trouble. No... that's not happening. I would rather play Gauti (other out-of form Delhiite) who at least shows he is trying or for that matter younger guys like Shikhar Dhawn, Ajinkya Rahane & others. India is back on winning track (yes... on Indian pitches) and there is no point in relying on "Big names". Doesn't do any good to the team's morale when they are almost always 12-1, 13-1 or 17-1 playing a test match in subcontinent. In the end Good Luck Team India & good luck Viru !!

Posted by Kalyanb85 on (March 6, 2013, 13:37 GMT) - Featured comment

As a huge fan of his batting and his words so far, I have agreed to everything Dravid has said but I don't know how to comment on this one. My first point is that everyone is talking about how players should be given exposure in domestic conditions before going to South Africa.Sachin debuted in Pakistan, Saurav and the man himself, Dravid in England, Sehwag in SA and so on. You can't be scared and protect the players even before they fall down.Increase overseas A tours. send the potential youngsters to England for a county season. Secondly, even if you give a Dhawan or a rahane a chance for these two tests, what is the probability of them carrying that experience to SA, which is after some 9 months.It is a simple deal. Viru wanted the middle order, was refused but accepted the opening slot and was one of the pillars for India to rise to Test No.1.It is only fair he is given the middle order slot now.

Posted by on (March 9, 2013, 2:21 GMT)

Dravid's point of view is clear cut for the team transition. He tells the right one for team India concerning the abroaed tours. His points should be validated.

Posted by on (March 7, 2013, 18:30 GMT)

Sehwag's body language suggests he is under pressure. The confident, carefree Viru who scored 1000s of runs for India isn't the same anymore. He is not even making good 30-40 cameos. He should have moved down the order long ago and with every failure he is simply losing confidence in his abilities more. Bringing in Ambati Rayudu, who has had a great Ranji season as well as a terrific Irani Cup (not to forget the 87 in the warm up against Australia) would be the right way to go. So what if there are other folks in the reckoning before him, weren't Rohit, Rahane etc given enough chances at the international level? Rayudu has shown immense talent and a solid technique against fast and spin bowling. He is international material and should be picked very very soon. Raina/Yuvraj should be ignored without any consideration, the team cannot give them several come back opportunities while they have time and again proved inept of test standards.

Posted by on (March 7, 2013, 14:07 GMT)

First of all I appreciate the fact that Dravid has not intended to rule out Sehwag completely but to provide him an apportunity to player in the order of his choice. This is because we all know what Sehwag is capable of and what impact does it make when he scores well(I agree that he isn't in good form and has been critised lately).However, I think the selectors should let him play this series and then take a call on this. Playing a new opening pair here in India with intend to gain experience anticipating it will help them in SA series does carry too much weight. Bringing Sehwag down the order and giving an youngster a chance to open an innings would add to the accompaniment of the team.

Posted by Dayalan.Cricklover on (March 7, 2013, 13:56 GMT)

Well, the legend (Dravid) knows the other legend (sehwag) more than anyone else. Sehwag has been out of form there is no doubt about it. But, he is a kind of player who hits back to form within no time. Unfortunately, this out of form run has prolonged. South African wickets are for him! Recollect his debut 100 at Bloemfontein. Although, time has passed by such memories can be motivating.

So, i guess going with the same team for the remaining test against Australia is the right move. A look up in these two tests and some runs (probably big!) under his belt, Sehwag could be a match winner again. . . .

Posted by chrisinfidel on (March 7, 2013, 13:01 GMT)

Sehwag's life had been made easier by the selectors, by giving him too many chances, when he never deserved. Sehwag's problem has been his irresponsibility and carelessness, he nver put a price on his wicket. The blow that India has recieved by playing him, in place of other youngsters is the massive defeats they suffered in England, Down under and the home series against england. Now, India is in a situation of no specialist opener, that can match against the formidable South African attack later this year.

Too much hero-worship and Star glorification is ditrimental for an individual's career. that has been consistently embarked in Idia cricket over the years. The current performance against an inexperienced and spineless Australian side shouldnt be romanticised. India's record for the past two years has been dismal. Its always better for Dhoni and his selectors to be pragmatic and realistic and take futuristic decisions.

Posted by on (March 7, 2013, 12:24 GMT)

I think Viru should be given few more chance since the team is in best position now in the series there is no harm giving him chance at least in this ongoing series.If he fails then its fair call for youngster to take his place.

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