India need Sehwag in South Africa - Laxman

[G_B_]

Axed India opener Virender Sehwag has found support from his former team-mate, VVS Laxman, who has said he "cannot imagine" an India team without Sehwag on the year-end tour of South Africa. Laxman said there was nothing wrong with Sehwag's reflexes, and felt he should have been playing in the third and fourth Tests against Australia to rediscover his form instead of being dropped midway through the series. "The selectors are forgetting that the next Test series will be against South Africa," Laxman told Mumbai Mirror. "There should be a plan and vision for that series. When India go to South Africa, it is important to have a good mix of experience and youth. I cannot imagine an Indian team without Sehwag in those tough South African conditions. India cannot afford to go to South Africa without Sehwag." Sehwag was dropped after making 2 and 19 in Chennai and 6 in Hyderabad against Australia following returns of 25, 30, 9, 23, 49 and 0 against England. The string of average scores came after his century in Ahmedabad, his first in two years. He hasn't made a hundred outside the subcontinent in five years. Laxman, however, said he should have been given two more matches, the only Tests India play before the South Africa tour. "In Chennai, he was unlucky to have played on in the first innings," Laxman said. "Then in the second innings there and in the first innings in Hyderabad, good deliveries got him out. It was not that he threw away his wicket. It is not the right time to drop him. "It was important to give him two more matches. Especially in Mohali [the venue for the third Test], Sehwag has always done well. The wicket there would have suited his game. It was a matter of one good knock for him to get back into form. Keeping in view the South Africa series, it is not a right decision. This would have been an ideal chance for him to come back into form." Sehwag, 34, batted wearing glasses in Chennai and Hyderabad, and there were suggestions his reflexes were slowing down. Laxman dismissed them, saying Sehwag had a lot of cricket left in him. "There is a lot of talk about his glasses. Do you know how many players use contact lenses? I think someone uses the lenses just to make sure that his eyes are fine. I don't know why people are making such hue and cry about the glasses. I see no problems with Sehwag's reflexes." Laxman said Sehwag had shown signs of returning to form during the second innings in Chennai and was confident he would be able to make a comeback. "Everyone goes through a lean patch. Sehwag is also going through bad form. But he is too good a player to be out of form for too long. I'm sure he will play wherever possible and his performance will talk for him. "The South Africa series is in December. So there are enough matches for him to make a case for himself. The domestic season would have started before that. He will have got enough matches to prove himself by then."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/content/story/624138.html?CMP=chrome

[saneindian]

No use of all the experience if he keeps throwing his wicket away like he did on the last tour.

[GautiMaan]

What did Sehwag do the last time we were there?Such a case could perhaps be made for Gambhir.

[CG]

No use of all the experience if he keeps throwing his wicket away like he did on the last tour.

He scored 60 in the 1st test 2nd innings and His contribution of 25 and 30 odd in both innings in a low scoring game while opening were also important.

[Crookbond]

He scored 60 in the 1st test 2nd innings and His contribution of 25 and 30 odd in both innings in a low scoring game while opening were also important.

Sehwag and Dravid were the worst batsmen on that tour. Another stat check for you - MS Dhoni in South Africa 1st Test 33 & 90 2nd Test 35 & 21 3rd Test 0 & DNB MS Dhoni 179 in 5 innings V Sehwag 144 in 6 innings

[Lord]

Sehwag and Dravid were the worst batsmen on that tour. Another stat check for you - MS Dhoni in South Africa 1st Test 33 & 90 2nd Test 35 & 21 3rd Test 0 & DNB MS Dhoni 179 in 5 innings V Sehwag 144 in 6 innings

lol:giggle:

[saneindian]

He scored 60 in the 1st test 2nd innings and His contribution of 25 and 30 odd in both innings in a low scoring game while opening were also important.

And threw his wicket each time. Look at the pattern of dismissals, getting himself out rather than the bowler getting him. And in all 3 knocks looked hardly in any trouble, timed the ball well but just couldn't control himself. 29.3 -Harris to Sehwag, OUT, Sehwag has thrown it away. You sensed he was going to go after Harris at some point. This was was asking to be hit. Tossed up nice and wide outside off, Sehwag danced down, but could not get to the line of the ball. Hence, he ended up scooping instead of lofting cleanly. Smith runs back and to the left from widish mid off to take a well-judged catch. Big wicket. V Sehwag c Smith b Harris 63 (141m 79b 9x4 1x6) SR: 79.74 10.4 Steyn to Sehwag, OUT, Steyn gets reward from some terrific bowling, the sucker ball inviting the drive, Sehwag took the bait and went for it, but the ball moved away mischievously and took the outside edge on its way to Kallis at second slip about chest-high, Sehwag has again thrown it away V Sehwag c Kallis b Steyn 25 (47m 32b 4x4 0x6) SR: 78.12 9.1 Tsotsobe to Sehwag, OUT, Tsotso has spiked the biggest gun of Navarone. Sehwag flails at a tempter, landed on a length but well wide outside off and took the outside edge through to Boucher. South Africa will breathe a huge sigh of relief. Sehwag tends to take matches away from the opposition in no times and seemed on his way here. V Sehwag c «£oucher b Tsotsobe 32 (43m 31b 6x4 0x6) SR: 103.2

[CG]

Sehwag and Dravid were the worst batsmen on that tour. Another stat check for you - MS Dhoni in South Africa 1st Test 33 & 90 2nd Test 35 & 21 3rd Test 0 & DNB MS Dhoni 179 in 5 innings V Sehwag 144 in 6 innings

I know the stats Rafa keeps pointing it out. :hysterical: .Sehwag Played his part in the test we won.

[G_B_]

the real question is can Sehwag be an asset at 6? i dont think Sehwag opening is going to be a good idea with his slowing reflexes

[vvvslaxman]

Dravid and Laxman are forming another partnership outside cricket field. "Airing comments" about players :cantstop:

[Crookbond]

I know the stats Rafa keeps pointing it out. :hysterical: .Shewag Played his part in the test we won.

Drop chhod, Sehwag ke baal bhi jaayenge lekin tu 'Sehwag' bolna nahi seekhega!

[CG]

Drop chhod' date= Sehwag ke baal bhi jaayenge lekin tu 'Sehwag' bolna nahi seekhega!

Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag:bow:

[Crookbond]

Sehwag' date='Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag,Sehwag:bow:[/quote'] Good but that just sounded like something else in my mind! :--D

[Trundler27]

^^ eww To get back on topic.... i disagree with laxman... he is clearly speaking under some sort of prezzzure... what in the world has gotten into our former cricketers? All these nutties want the old gaurd to remain and keep playing for eternity as if to make up for their own sacking in some way :facepalm:

[SLICKR392]

What did Sehwag do the last time we were there?Such a case could perhaps be made for Gambhir.

Eh?

[NareshK]

Sehwag has always struggled when there was swing and seam. His technique has never been great but his hand and eye co-ordination used to be really good and that used to bail him out. But that seemed to have failed him over the last couple of years. He is struggling even at home and his confidence also has gone down. I dont see how he will last more than 10 balls against SA bowling attack in their conditions.

[CG]

Good but that just sounded like something else in my mind! :--D

:offtopic:

[adi B]

Dravid and Laxman are forming another partnership outside cricket field. "Airing comments" about players :cantstop:

:cantstop:

[GautiMaan]

Eh?

Couple of fifties,a 90 odd the last time we were there.

[SLICKR392]

Couple of fifties' date='a 90 odd the last time we were there.[/quote'] Oh! Well I thought you were assuming that he too had a bad series in SA.