March 1, 2012 3:02:23 am
Virender Sehwag is not in the team for the Asia Cup because of poor form and the perceived indiscreet remarks he made to the media earlier this month,it is reliably learnt. He has not,as chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said,been rested because of an injury.
Virat Kohli was named vice-captain of the squad announced today,replacing Gautam Gambhir who,like Sehwag,made comments in Australia that fueled media reports about a rift in the team.
Sources close to Sehwag insisted today that he is fit. They said that to make a point,he might even play for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare tournament after he returns to India. He hasnt just batted,also bowled long spells and,in case India reach the triseries final,will again take the field. He is totally fit, said a source.
After todays selection meeting,Srikkanth said,Sehwag and Zaheer Khan have been rested due to injuries. It has been done on the basis of reports from the physiotherapist. What is more likely perhaps is that the board has used the selection to send out the message to possible dissenters that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the undisputed leader of the side.
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Sachin Tendulkar,despite his poor run of scores,has got another chance to get to his 100th international century. Allrounder Yusuf Pathan and Bengal medium pacer Ashok Dinda are back in the squad. Dhoni turned down the selectors request to take a break,but Zaheer and Umesh Yadav have been rested.
The team: Dhoni (captain),Kohli (vice-captain),Tendulkar,Gambhir,Raina,Rohit Sharma,Manoj Tiwary,Yusuf Pathan,Irfan Pathan,Ashwin,Ravindra Jadeja,Rahul Sharma,Vinay Kumar,Praveen Kumar,Dinda.
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