Cricket: Sehwag, Zaheer rested for Asia Cup

Kohli named vice-captain as selectors ‘look to the future’.

NEW DEHLI: India left out vice-captain Virender Sehwag and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan for the Asia Cup that stats on March 11, with the selectors insisting that the out-of-form duo were rested and not dropped.

Veteran Sachin Tendulkar, chasing an elusive 100th international century, was included in the 15-man squad that also marks the return of hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan and fast-bowler Ashok Dinda. Virat Kohli, who has been India’s leading run-scorer in One-Day Internationals (ODI) in 2011 and who fired India to an impressive win over Sri Lanka to keep them afloat in the Tri-Nation Series in Australia, was promoted as vice-captain as India look to the future, according to chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth

“We have to look at the future and that’s why Kohli has been made vice-captain,” said Srikkanth before adding that the decision to omit the under-performing Sehwag and Zaheer was taken after team management in Australia told the selectors that the pair, and fast-bowler Umesh Yadav, needed a break.

Sehwag, who became the second batsman after Tendulkar to score a double-century in ODIs, averaged just 24.8 in Tests and 13 in the Tri-Nation Series during the Australia tour.

Defending champions India will join Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, which will be played at the Shere Bangla stadium in Dhaka.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2012.