India’s dashing opener Virender Sehwag debunked speculative theories on the future of senior players in the Test team.
Sourav Ganguly’s omission from the Irani Trophy team has led to intense speculation that it is the beginning of the phase out of the senior batsmen from the Test side.
Sehwag said that the four experienced players would be least affected as they have faced such situation before and know how to tackle it.
‘I do not think they will be under any extra pressure to perform. They are experienced and they have proved themselves in any situation. If at all they are under any pressure, it will be the pressure of their own expectations. Throughout their career, they have tackled pressure. It is nothing new for them,’ Sehwag said Friday on the sidelines of a promotional event of Neo Cricket.
The four pillars of Indian batting had an average year by their own lofty standard. Rahul Dravid and Ganguly were replaced with youngsters in the one-day team with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and selectors going for fresh legs. With brilliant showing in Australia and Sri Lanka, the new brigade have staked their claim for Test berth.
The senior batsmen had a poor series in Sri Lanka where rookie Ajantha Mendis cracked open the world’s best players of spin.
Sehwag said they are way ahead of others and should not be judged on the basis of just one series.
‘If you are comparing me with them, then I can say that I am very small in front of these players. They will always remain above me.’
Sehwag also said he was sure that Yuvraj Singh will soon be back in reckoning.
‘Yuvraj too had a bad season. Any player can have one bad series. I had a whole bad year. He is a talented player and I am sure that he will soon find his form.’
Asked whether he feel bad that his name for Test captaincy is not doing the rounds, Sehwag said: ‘I do not get affected by these things. I continue to give my suggestions to the captain. I advised Anil Kumble on some occasions and it clicked. I will continue to do that.’
