World T20: India must trust Sehwag's abilities, says Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni must have faith in Virender Sehwag's abilities and should not keep him out of the team for the crucial Super Eights matches of the World Twenty20.

"Benching Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan in the group league match against England seems to have stirred a hornet’s nest in the Indian media. India’s 90-run win against the defending champions has only added fuel to fire. Questions like will Mahendra Singh Dhoni play Sehwag and Zaheer in the Super 8 have kept the media on its toes. But as far as I am concerned, Sehwag’s position in the batting line-up is a no-brainer. Dhoni has to trust Sehwag’s abilities," Akram was quoted as saying by ESPNStar.com.

Akram said Sehwag is an unpredictable player and he is never out of form.

"Mike Hussey has made an interesting comment. A player like Sehwag is “never out of form”. Hussey knows what he is saying and he is not far from the truth. If Sehwag is fit, he must open the batting for India. No questions asked.

"India will be playing their first Super 8 match against Australia on Friday at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Given the nature of the wicket, Sehwag is an automatic choice. The deck is perfect for his style of batting, but that does not mean Sehwag can throw caution to the wind. The longer he stays at the crease, India will profit," he said.

Akram warned that any experimentation by India can cost them huge.

"India can’t afford to experiment at this stage. While I see Irfan Pathan’s role in the team as an all-rounder, using him as a pinch-hitter or an opener is not a great idea because India’s top order has quite a few batsmen who can smack the ball from the very start," he said.