'Resting of seniors to continue'

Sehwag says either Gambhir or Tendulkar will sit out Lanka game

Virender Sehwag said on Tuesday that resting seniors was a deliberate move by the team management to give them ample rest between the games.

The dashing opener was rested for the game against Australia which India lost by 65 runs.

“We are giving breaks to the top three batsmen. I think tomorrow will be somebody’s turn…so either Gautam (Gambhir) or (Sachin) Tendulkar will take a break, and then maybe I can play,” Sehwag told reporters on the eve of the match against Sri Lanka at the WACA.

The Delhiite said it was good to take short breaks during a lengthy tournament. “Sometimes, it is good. You are continuously playing four Tests and T20, and then one-dayers. If you get a break then the body gets relief, and the mental break is also good. That’s why we decided that top players could be given break. It’s also a chance for youngsters,” he added.

Explaining the benefits of giving more chances for youngsters, Sehwag said, “They have to play more one-dayers, so that they will get more experience when the World Cup comes (in Australia in 2015). Our aim is to give more chances to the youngsters so when the World Cup arrives they will have played at least about 75-100 ODIs.”

Sehwag has gone through a torrid time with the bat during this trip to Australia, but he ruled out any change in his batting style. “Not really. I just need to give a little respect to the new ball, and then when it gets old go after the bowling.”

He also denied that negativity had crept into his batting.

“In the Adelaide Test, I scored 60 off 50 balls, so that was not defensive. It was attacking. My game is like that, I tried to play a little different in Perth because the ball was doing something but it didn’t work out. So I went back to my own style and hopefully I will play well the one-dayers.”

Sehwag said the team had been working on fielding. “We are working hard on fielding. You take great catches sometimes and you drop easy ones sometimes, so we are working hard to be more consistent. The youngsters are very energetic, and their ground fielding has been very good.”   

He played down the theory of defeats in the Test series would affect the morale of the Indian team. “One-day cricket is a totally different ball game. On a given day, any team can beat anybody else, especially in this triangular series. All three teams are good.”

On Yuvraj Singh, who has been undergoing chemotherapy in the US, Sehwag said, “I heard he is taking chemotherapy. I am hoping that he will be fine and will be coming back soon.

“We all pray for Yuvraj that he will be fit soon, and come out of whatever he is suffering from and play as soon as possible.”

Sri Lankan all-rounder and vice-captain Angelo Mathews said the team was high on confidence. “We have got a few brilliant youngsters. They have come up really well in South Africa. It’s just that we need to focus on our own game. Be free, play our natural game, and that’s when we come out as best as a team and as individuals. As for India, we are not concentrating on any individuals. All 11 players are equally good in the Indian team.”