Sehwag not dropped, Kohli excellent future captain: Srikkanth
Indian chief cricket selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth Wednesday rated Virat Kohli as an “excellent future captain” and insisted that Virender Sehwag was not dropped and only “rested” on doctor’s advise for the Asia Cup beginning March 11 in Bangladesh.
Kolhi was elevated to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s deputy in the 15-man India squad here Wednesday while Sehwag was rested for the tournament involving hosts Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“Sehwag has not been dropped. He has been rested on the advice of the doctors,” Srikkanth told reporters after the selection committee meeting here.
Asked about Kohli’s promotion, Srikkanth said: “Hats off to Kohli for a wonderful innings. We have to start looking forward towards the future and he is an excellent future captain. After thorough consultation, we made Kohli the vice-captain.”
Kohli struck a sublime 133 off 86 balls in India’s sensational seven-wicket win Tuesday over Sri Lanka in Hobart.
Besides Sehwag, fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav were also given a break.
Srikkanth said that based on the physio’s medical report from Australia, Sehwag, Yadav and Zaheer were not considered for selection and “no one was dropped on form”.
“We have selected the best team. We had a good talk about it and the selection meeting took a lot of time. Viru (Sehwag) and Zaheer have been asked by the physio to take rest, they have some injuries. We spoke to people in Australia and I 500 percent assure you no one has been dropped, they have just been rested,” said Srikkanth.
Srikkanth said he did not want to make any excuses for the team’s poor performance in Australia but noted they have done well in the ODI tri-series.
“No excuses, we got beaten thoroughly in the Tests. I expected the team to win the Test series, honestly. In ODIs, we have done well, the mistake in the Sri Lanka game by the umpires, where we played one ball less, cost us a place in the final,” said Srikkanth.
India still have a chance of a place in the finals, provided Australia beat Sri Lanka at Melbourne Friday.
Srikkanth told a reporter to “shut up” after he repeatedly asked him about Sehwag’s omission.
