The Hindu : Sport : Vijay replaces Sehwag in T20 squad

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Vijay replaces Sehwag in T20 squad

S. Dinakar

— PHOTO: PTI

Sehwag.

Chennai: Opener Murali Vijay will replace the explosive Virender Sehwag in the squad for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20, beginning April 30, in the West Indies.

Vijay's selection came after Sehwag, who had been named the vice-captain of the side, suffered a shoulder injury.

A BCCI release on Tuesday said: “Virender Sehwag has sustained a shoulder injury and has been advised rest for three to four weeks. He has, therefore, been ruled out of the ICC World T20.”

It added: “The ICC's Technical Committee has permitted a replacement for him. The all-India Senior Selection Committee has accordingly picked Murali Vijay. Gautam Gambhir will be the vice-captain of the team.”

A similar injury to the influential Sehwag had rocked India's campaign in the previous edition of the event in England last year.

The uncertainty over Sehwag's fitness in the early stages of India's campaign had created a rift between the team-management and the media. The blazing opener subsequently underwent a shoulder surgery.

Although Sehwag topped the list of run-scorers for Delhi Daredevils in the on-going IPL — the dashing opener made 346 runs at 25.42 (strike-rate 163.30) from 14 games — his form had been indifferent by his own lofty standards. Often, a blaze of strokes would be followed by an unexpected dismissal.

The right replacement

The 26-year-old Vijay, a natural galloping on his skills, has surprised many with his clean and uncomplicated hitting for Chennai Super Kings. With his footwork, balance and bat-speed, Vijay has notched up 417 runs in 13 matches at 37.90 (strike rate 158.55) so far in the competition.

Someone who pleased the traditionalists with his sound defence off either foot and the ability to play and leave in Test cricket, Vijay has impressed in the IPL by putting his foot on the accelerator without compromising on the basics. He is a fine striker of the ball, who can pierce the in-field during the first six overs when the field restrictions are in place and then build on a start without losing momentum.

While he can stroke in the ‘V' with a still head, a high left shoulder and a splendidly vertical willow, Vijay can also unleash the horizontal bat strokes to unsettle the bowlers. And he can convert the length with deft footwork.

Importantly, Vijay can handle the short-pitched bowling from the quicks capably.

A few speedy pacemen had jolted India with well-directed short pitched bowling in the last edition of the WorldTwenty20 in England.

While Sehwag will be missed, Vijay is the right replacement.

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