IND Vs AFG: Virender Sehwag Wants This Star All-Rounder To Be Rested For The Afghanistan Game

Renowned Indian cricketing icon, Virender Sehwag, has advocated for Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, to consider resting one of their seasoned players in the upcoming match against Afghanistan at the ongoing ICC World Cup.

Australia, who have been crowned champions on multiple occasions, clinched the title as hosts in 2015, while England secured their maiden ODI World Cup trophy by defeating New Zealand in an unforgettable final at Lord’s four years ago. Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India, two-time champions, are aiming to continue the tradition of the host nation winning the ODI World Cup in 2023.

India’s last victory in this prestigious tournament came when they hosted the World Cup in 2011. Virender Sehwag, a pivotal member of India’s World Cup-winning squad, believes that the Indian team, under the guidance of coach Rahul Dravid, should consider giving senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin a rest in Delhi.

Ravichandran Ashwin Will Be Rested According To Virender Sehwag

In a conversation with Cricbuzz ahead of India’s forthcoming World Cup match, Virender Sehwag suggested that India should preserve Ashwin for crucial encounters at the ODI World Cup.

“I think Ravichandran Ashwin will be rested. Mohammed Shami has been in wonderful form, and he even took a fifer against Australia. This is a different wicket, and the ground is also smaller. Also, there is the age factor with Ashwin. So, India will look to save him for the big matches,” Sehwag opined.

Ashwin bowled ten overs and claimed the wicket of Cameron Green during the match against Australia. His teammate, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, emerged as the standout bowler for India with match-winning figures of 3 for 28 in ten overs.

Reflecting on India’s victory over Australia, Sehwag also commended the decisions made by Dravid and Rohit, particularly their choice to designate KL Rahul as the primary wicketkeeper for the World Cup. Rahul played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 97, as India comfortably defeated Australia by six wickets at Chepauk.

“We must praise Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma for convincing KL Rahul to keep wickets and bat in the middle-order. Rahul batting in this position has strengthened Team India’s middle order. Had he opened the innings and gotten out early, we would have had to rely on guys like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav,” Sehwag added.

The hosts, India, are scheduled to face Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, in match number nine of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. India began their World Cup campaign on a strong note with a convincing win over the five-time champions, Australia, in Chennai.