Indian Premier League's Twenty20 format may not attract purists but selectors should consider IPL performance before picking the Indian squad
NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League's Twenty20 format may not attract purists but selectors should consider IPL performance before picking the Indian squad for the tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan, according to Virender Sehwag.
The Delhi Daredevils captain said IPL has transcended boundaries to reach people in the furthest corner and so it would be wrong to completely ignore the players' performance in the Twenty20 league.
"IPL performance should matter. Everyone is watching IPL. I'm getting SMS from England, Pakistan, West Indies, all saying we are doing well. I think selectors should take IPL performance into account when they select the Indian squad," Sehwag said on Tuesday.
According to him, a number of youngsters have made their mark in the IPL and they should, on a rotational basis, be blooded.
"So many youngsters have done well in the tournament. For us, Shikhar Dhawan has done well, so did V Yomahesh and Pradeep Sangwan.
"India play a tri-series in Bangladesh, they play Asia Cup in Pakistan and then there is Champions Trophy. A lot of cricket is to be played this year and I think selectors should, on rotation, give chances to the youngsters to play alongside the seniors," he said.
Sehwag admitted the Daredevils owed it to lady luck as they sneaked their way into the IPL semifinals after Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals pipped Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians in a thriller at Jaipur on Monday.
"Initially, we were unfortunate to lose a few close matches but finally luck seems to have smiled on us and here we are in the semi-finals. I think luck is a crucial factor and we are happy to be lucky," Sehwag said.
Asked which team he would prefer to face in the semi-finals, Sehwag said, "Any team. All four teams would be strong, that's why they made it to the semi-finals. Anyone can beat anyone now. All would depend on who plays better on the given day."
On if his team would like to avoid facing the rampaging Rajasthan Royals in the semis, Sehwag said, "They have done us a favour and we have to play them anyway, in final if not in semi-finals."
Sehwag said the Daredevils' main strength lied in the fact that they were not dependent on any individual to see them through.
"The best part about it is that we don't rely on certain individuals to pull us out. Players like Dinesh Karthik, Ferveez Maharoof, (Glenn) McGrath, myself and Gautam (Gambhir) have won matches for the side. We don't depend on a handful few," he said.
Sehwag also expressed happiness as the off-colour middle order also hit form against the Mumbai Indians in their last league match here.
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