Sehwag & Zaheer set to come back
Fit-again stars expected for Sri Lanka tour. Both Sehwag and Zaheer regained fitness and played in the IPL in April-May.
New Delhi (Mail Today): Virender Sehwag is set to return to the Indian team for the short tour of Sri Lanka this month after being “rested” for the Asia Cup on fitness grounds.
The squad will be announced on Wednesday.
Pacer Zaheer Khan, who also missed the tournament in Dhaka on the advice of physiotherapists, is also expected to return for the five One-day Internationals and a solitary Twenty20 International, beginning on July 21 in Hambantota.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who turned 32 on Tuesday and last turned out in India colours in the second Test in England almost a year ago before an abdominal problem and lack of form forced his exit, could well be back too.
Harbhajan’s replacement R Ashwin grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has been a permanent member of the team since then. The K Srikkanth- headed selection committee might decide to include both, though that would lessen the variety in the spin department.
The selection committee is scheduled to meet in Mumbai.
Sehwag, who captained Delhi Daredevils in the IPL in April-May after missing the preceding Asia Cup in March, said on Tuesday that he visited the National Cricket Academy a few days ago and underwent a fitness test, like some other players.
The report of the players’ fitness — as well as Sachin Tendulkar’s availability — is likely to be submitted to the selectors just before the meeting to be held at the BCCI headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium.
Tendulkar, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha recently, these days picks and chooses which ODIs to play.
He opted to play in the Asia Cup and scored his 100th international century in Dhaka in March.
It remains to be seen if he makes himself available for a series that is not a high profile one.
In case, Tendulkar decides to skip the series, Ajinkya Rahane could be picked as the third opener, in addition to Sehwag and his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir.
Since the series is low key, the selectors might like to give opportunities to youngsters like Jalaj Saxena of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The batting remains India’s strength as it comprises the likes of Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Mahnedra Singh Dhoni, who is set to be retained captain, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Yusuf Pathan. A couple of them might be either rested in order to give opportunities to youngsters or dropped completely on the basis of form.
The team also has young all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, who didn’t do well in the IPL, Irfan Pathan and Saxena could also bowl off spin.
Besides Zaheer, the pace department is likely to comprise Umesh Yadav, who has regained fitness after missing the Asia Cup, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, and R Vinay Kumar.
India will begin with the first One-day International in Hambantota on July 21 and play the second game on July 24 at the same venue. The teams will then move to Colombo for the third and fourth match on July 28 and July 31, before travelling to Pallekele for the fifth one-dayer on August 4. The lone Twenty20 International will also be played in Pallekele, on August 7.
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