New Delhi: Virender Sehwag may not be able to play in the first two Test matches against England due to an injury but his inclusion in the Indian squad is a smart decision by the selectors, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said on Thursday.
Sehwag is a part of the 17-member Test squad for the nearly two-month long England tour but will miss the first two Tests at Lord’s (July 21-25) and Trent Bridge (July 29-August 2) due to a shoulder injury.
“But the fact is, Sehwag will still get a chance to acclimatise himself to the conditions in England with some useful practice during the nets sessions.
“This experience will come in handy once he recovers fully from his injury and is ready to play. I therefore think this is a very smart move by the Indian selectors,” he said.
The 32-year-old Sehwag has scored only 527 runs from 11 Tests against England at an average of 31.
Sehwag’s absence will benefit England
Akram though was sure that absence of such an explosive opening batsman will work to the advantage of the hosts.
“The absence of an explosive batsman like Sehwag at top of the order is a disadvantage for Team India going into this big series. I don’t think there is any other impact player like him in world cricket currently,” Akram was quoted as saying by Mobile ESPN.
“Besides, Sehwag has forged a great opening combination with Gautam Gambhir over the last three years.” (PTI)