Wednesday, March 23, 2011

India sweat over Sehwag's fitness

India are facing a nervous time over Virender Sehwag's fitness ahead of the World Cup quarter-final clash against Australia in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Sehwag missed India's final league game against West Indies due to a allergic reaction to the painkilling injection he took on his right knee.

India skipper MS Dhoni confessed during Wednesday's pre-match press conference that Sehwag's fitness was still a concern for the team.

"We are taking a call on Viru in the evening or maybe tomorrow morning before the start of the game," Dhoni said. "Apart from that, all the others are fit."

Sehwag is crucial to India's chances against the defending champions because of his ability to score quick and big runs against any opposition.

Though Sehwag has not scored any of his 14 ODI centuries against Australia and his average also dips from 35.35 to 22.65 against them, Australian bowlers have always been wary of the opener.

The Indian team is also happy if Sehwag scores a cameo as the other batsmen in the side can build on the start.

"It's really good to have Sehwag opening the innings, because if the deliveries are short and to the body or somewhere else, he's the kind of batsman who can make the most of that kind of bowling," Dhoni explained.

"He can play an aggressive game, change the course of a match in the first five overs and give your team the kind of momentum that is needed."

If Sehwag is ruled out, Gautam Gambhir will partner Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the order with Suresh Raina retaining his place in the side.

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