Former swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag today stated that Virat Kohli "should drop himself" if he fails in the second Test against South Africa, launching a scathing attack on the India skipper for his team selection.
Coming into the game at Centurion after suffering a 72- run defeat in the first Test, India made three changes to their playing XI with KL Rahul replacing Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma coming in for Bhuvneshwar, whose three-wicket burst in the first morning of the opening Test had rocked the hosts.
"Watching Virat Kohli excluding Shikhar Dhawan for just one Test failure, and Bhuvneshwar for no reason at all, Kohli should drop himself in the third Test at Johannesburg, if he fails to perform in Centurion," Sehwag told 'India TV'. The other change was wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who was ruled out due to a strain, and Parthiv Patel was included is his place.
"Excluding Bhuvneshwar wasn't the right decision. Citing that Ishant might benefit with his height, Virat Kohli has hurt Bhuvneshwar Kumar's self-confidence. "They could have played Ishant in place of any other bowler. Bhuvneshwar performed well in Cape Town and excluding him like this isn't justified," Sehwag added.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar today questioned India's team selection for the second cricket Test against South Africa, saying opener Shikhar Dhawan's "head is always on the chopping board". Gavaskar said: "I think Shikhar Dhawan is the 'Bali ka Bakra' (scapegoat). His head is always on the chopping board. He just needs one bad innings and he is out of the team. "I also don't understand why Ishant came in for Bhuvneshwar when he had taken three wickets on the opening day at Cape Town. Ishant could have replaced Shami or Bumrah but leaving him out, I don't understand."
Former greats Allan Donald and VVS Laxman too slammed Indian team's decision.
"Don't understand how you can leave a bowler out that don't have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant. @BhuviOfficial has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It's like leaving out @VDP_24!" pace legend Donald wrote on his twitter handle, while also making a reference to South Africa pacer Vernon Philander. Philander ran through the Indian batting in the second innings of the first Test, claiming a career-best six-wicket haul at Cape Town. Donald also tweeted, "@BhuviOfficial left out..You are kidding me????" Former India batsman Laxman was also surprised. "I am surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first Test, he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets) showing skill in using the new ball & batted quite well showing patience nd resilience. Am I missing something here ??"
Former India batsman Vinod Kambli and left-arm pacer Rudra Pratap Singh also made their displeasure public. "Virat and the Team Management are surprising their own players and confusing us.Heeee ha????????"
While RP wrote, "Perception isn't the truth but it's bigger than truth these days" And may be that's why Bhuvi isn't a part of playing 11." Bhuvneshwar was the pick of the India bowlers in Cape Town, taking six wickets while batting resolutely. Virat Kohli's team had folded for 135 in their second innings while chasing 208 to win the opening Test.
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