CG Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 BRISBANE: The controversial rotation policy, which has sparked of a heated debate among critics and speculation of a rift within the team, took a more confusing turn on Tuesday with Virender Sehwag saying he did not know that fielding abilities had anything to do with it. In an apparent dig at skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sehwag said that he or any of the senior players had never been told that their 'slow fielding' was an issue. "I did not know what he (Dhoni) said and what's going on in media. He told us he wanted to give chance to youngsters who had come here and play the next World Cup. That's what he told us," said Sehwag. Dhoni, after the crushing defeat against Australia in the ongoing tri-series, had stated the three senior openers - Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir - were not being picked together in the tournament because they are slow and could be costing the side at least 20 runs. "Have you seen my catch?" Sehwag snapped back in response, adding "we have been fielding the same way for the last 10 years." Sehwag was again pressed as to what he thought could be the reasons for Dhoni to suggest that they were costing the team 20 runs in the field. "But you have to ask Dhoni again. What he told us was to give chance to youngsters and come here and play the next World Cup. That was what he told us," said Sehwag. "He chatted with everyone, with Gautam and me and Tendulkar, he (said) he wanted to give chance to youngsters so they can play all the matches and prepare themselves for the next World Cup. They would have an idea how the wicket behaves in Australia." Asked if he would clear up the matter with Dhoni, Sehwag retorted, "Why should I have chat with him? He is the captain and leader. If he and coach think they need to give break to top order, I am okay with it, I have no problem with it." "I am available for all the matches. It depends on the captain and coach what 11 they pick. If they give me a reason that we are giving chance to youngsters and we take a break, I am happy with that," he said. Sehwag, however, denied any rift within the team. "We are one unit, we are happy. He (Dhoni) is the captain, he can say whatever he wants to say. He addresses the media, has been doing it for the last two years, and we are okay with it," he said. Talking about today's match, Sehwag did not find fault with his bowlers but rather blamed the batsmen, including himself for their shot-selections as the team went down by 51 runs against Sri Lanka. "The last two games are a must-win games and we have to look at our shot selection. It's a matter of playing 50 overs. If they (Raina and Kohli) had batted till the 45th over, it would have been a different story. Nobody batted till the end," he said. On Ravichandran Ashwin's attempt to run out non-striker Lahiru Thirimanne for backing up too much, Sehwag said, "I think Ashwin warned him, once in the previous over and then in next over. He took the bails off and appealed, umpires discussed and asked me. I said we could give him one more warning and if he does it again, we will go for that. "Ashwin did appeal. Umpires consulted. Since Billy Bowden was the senior umpire, he (Paul Reiffel) asked me and discussed with me. He said it's your call now, if you appeal now, we can give him out. I took the decision that we could give him one more warning. "If we appealed and umpires gave him out, then somebody would criticize that it was not in the spirit of the game. So we gave him one more warning." Sehwag admitted it was rather 'soft' on his and team's part not to press for the run-out appeal. "Yes, that's soft but that's the way we are," he reasoned. He also conceded that he will have to look into his shot selection and curb his natural aggressive instinct from the start. "Obviously, we are not giving good starts. I couldn't score runs. I have to look at my own shot selection. I need to give little more time to myself and then I can play my shots. "I am hitting well but not converting. I am getting out in funny way, like flicking to point. I am hoping to leave (deliveries) early and then take on the bowlers," he said. "The last two games are must win games and we have to look at our shot selections. We have to bowl well and field well," he added. Sehwag lately has been getting out by closing the face of his bat too early and offering leading edges to fielders. On this, he said, "I think the ball is not coming fast and that's why I am closing the face of the bat early." Youngsters also haven't been scoring consistently and Sehwag admitted Dhoni, for his pyrotechnics late in a match, was missed greatly today. "It's a matter of playing 50 overs. When the main player (Dhoni) is not playing, and Yuvraj is also not there, somebody has to take the responsibility and take us through. "They (young players) are working hard. It's difficult to explain (their failure). Australia is not easy batting wickets. There are two new balls, it's difficult for everyone. Others are also struggling. "It's a difficult phase for the team. All the batsmen are not scoring runs, except Dhoni, Kohli and Gautam. These three are consistent batsmen. If you have to win one-day games, at least 4-5 batsmen have to bat till the end, score a century. If the top order bats through, it becomes easier for middle order too," Sehwag said. Sehwag explained his reason to give the final two overs to Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli to bowl and also commented on the fitness status of a few other players. He also explained as to why Ravindra Jadeja came above Parthiv Patel in the batting line-up. "Since Vinay Kumar pulled his hamstring, that's why I turned to Raina and Kohli. Patel will not play the next game. It was good for Jadeja to bat, we wanted him to bat 15-16 overs since he would be playing again. Zaheer is feeling some strain in the calf. Praveen is fully fit though," he said. "Umesh bowled brilliantly against the West Indies. He also bowled in Tests. We need some time for bowlers to get used to," said Sehwag defending his bowlers who conceded 289 runs to the Lankans. Sehwag said the rotation policy could allow youngsters to play more and more matches. "We have to rotate and give more chance to youngsters. Before the World Cup, I told MS (Dhoni) that if youngsters play 100 games, they get good experience and fire at the right time. "It is better all players are tried in the early part of the triangular series. Then in the last matches you can play your full strength, play all your top players. I think it's a good strategy. But sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't," he said. Sehwag said that he was not surprised that out-of-form Ricky Ponting being dropped from the Australian side. "We were expecting as a team just sack him for the Test series. They have sacked him a little later. It's for everyone. If you don't perform 6-7 games, you get ready for sack, I am not surprised," he said. "He (Ponting) has to decide (on retirement). I am no one to decide or comment on that. He knows better than anyone else."
Magneto Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 I am sick of these feckers taking digs (assuming, since I'm sick of reading these interviews too) at each other all the time. Suspend the whole bloody team and serve them show-cause notices when they come back. :wall:
Ultimate_Game Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Hope someone asks Viru to zip it "facepalm: Where the phuck is our media manager? Is he on vacation in Aus?
saneindian Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Is Jadeja's spot in the team sealed or what? Sehwag saying he will play the next game so was sent ahead of Patel. On the whole, as much as we want to be in denial, Sehwag-Dhoni rift is definitely there. Has come out in the open from time to time and unfortunately its in series where we are not doing well. ANother surprising thing that happened today was this Dhoni, who was not part of India's 51-run loss to Sri Lanka on Tuesday due to his one-match suspension for slow over-rate against Australia, got the much needed backing from Sakshi, who took to Twitter on Tuesday to back her husband. "Don't care about who is trying to pull you down.. just know that we are all there supporting you forever....only time will shut them up," tweeted Sakshi. http://sports.ndtv.com/ind-aus-2011/news/item/185768-wife-sakshi-dhoni-backs-under-fire-ms-dhoni First time we have seen a WAG commenting on cricket matters in the public. Does it point to something seriously wrong going on in the dressing room?
Ultimate_Game Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 No wonder we are performing so poorly. Players are more bothered thinking about the digs and pot-shots they will take after the game than actually focusing on the game :mad: Someone should tell Viru that he should at least perform before taking shots at others. Dhoni may have said things which he shouldn't have but at least he's performing on the field.
Raghav_12 Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Is Jadeja's spot in the team sealed or what? Sehwag saying he will play the next game so was sent ahead of Patel. On the whole, as much as we want to be in denial, Sehwag-Dhoni rift is definitely there. Has come out in the open from time to time and unfortunately its in series where we are not doing well. ANother surprising thing that happened today was this http://sports.ndtv.com/ind-aus-2011/news/item/185768-wife-sakshi-dhoni-backs-under-fire-ms-dhoni First time we have seen a WAG commenting on cricket matters in the public. Does it point to something seriously wrong going on in the dressing room? If this is true that Dhoni's wife put that comment alluding his team mates, then it's a serious matter. Dhoni should control it.
Magneto Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Is Jadeja's spot in the team sealed or what? Sehwag saying he will play the next game so was sent ahead of Patel. On the whole, as much as we want to be in denial, Sehwag-Dhoni rift is definitely there. Has come out in the open from time to time and unfortunately its in series where we are not doing well. ANother surprising thing that happened today was this http://sports.ndtv.com/ind-aus-2011/news/item/185768-wife-sakshi-dhoni-backs-under-fire-ms-dhoni First time we have seen a WAG commenting on cricket matters in the public. Does it point to something seriously wrong going on in the dressing room? I think they'll kill each other by the end of the tour :dontknow:
vvvslaxman Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 The biggest mistake committed by all the morons were taking rest for Windies series right after world cup. That is when things started falling apart.
amiret Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 "We were expecting as a team just sack him ( Ricky Ponting )for the Test series. They have sacked him a little later. It's for everyone. If you don't perform 6-7 games, you get ready for sack, I am not surprised," he said. the irony is lost on this nincompoop from Najafgarh.
1983-2011 Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 The biggest mistake committed by all the morons were taking rest for Windies series right after world cup. That is when things started falling apart. yeah but everyone supported that then
Old guy Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 I think they'll kill each other by the end of the tour :dontknow: :haha:
ganeshran Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 To be fair, Mrs Dhoni could have meant it about the media as well who are going OTT
Stuge Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 WTH is this going on .These feckers take dig on each other like politicians and waste our time by performing poorly every now and then :| FFS sehwag should concentrate on his batting, which is more awful than a rookie . Is Jadeja's spot in the team sealed or what? Sehwag saying he will play the next game so was sent ahead of Patel. On the whole, as much as we want to be in denial, Sehwag-Dhoni rift is definitely there. Has come out in the open from time to time and unfortunately its in series where we are not doing well. ANother surprising thing that happened today was this http://sports.ndtv.com/ind-aus-2011/news/item/185768-wife-sakshi-dhoni-backs-under-fire-ms-dhoni First time we have seen a WAG commenting on cricket matters in the public. Does it point to something seriously wrong going on in the dressing room? Now,its pretty much clear that something is definitely not right in the dressing room.
The Outsider Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 ANother surprising thing that happened today was this http://sports.ndtv.com/ind-aus-2011/news/item/185768-wife-sakshi-dhoni-backs-under-fire-ms-dhoni First time we have seen a WAG commenting on cricket matters in the public. Does it point to something seriously wrong going on in the dressing room? Note to self : ask wife to communicate with me on twitter henceforth.
Number Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Sehwag in press conference was speaking like he has scored a 100 and we won the game with 10 wickets in hand. god knows who thought that he'll be suitable for the captaincy.
Raghav_12 Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 The biggest mistake committed by all the morons were taking rest for Windies series right after world cup. That is when things started falling apart. I think that as well. Though you are always wiser in hindsight, but I think that was complacency on part of Indian players. They had all good momentum through strong performances in SA tour and WC, but they threw it away. Now those good days look aeons away :((
Ultimate_Game Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Sehwag in press conference was speaking like he has scored a 100 and we won the game with 10 wickets in hand. god knows who thought that he'll be suitable for the captaincy. Why did we sack Gambhir from the vice-captain position again? He captained against NZ in odis at home a year back and did a decent job.
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