Selectors talk to Dhoni and Sehwag

New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Indian cricket selectors Vikram Rathour and Saba Karim Saturday had long discussions with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and senior batsman Virender Sehwag and kept a close watch on the side’s preparations for the dead rubber against Pakistan here Sunday.

The selectors will meet here Sunday after the match to pick the team for the five-match ODI series against England.

Rathour and Saba had a long chat with Dhoni, who is under pressure following the team’s dismal performance since the 2011 tour of England, on the sidelines of the net session at the Feroze Shah Kotla.

The two selectors also also had a one-on-one with out-of-form Sehwag twice during the day. Before Sehwag went into bat he spent some good 10 minutes with both the selectors and his practice he was seen having some serious discussion with Rathour.

The Delhi dasher scored 31, 4, 34, 3 and 15 in his last five ODIs and failed to shoulder the responsibilities when it was expected in the absence of seniors like Sachin Tendulkar.

Sehwag and his opening partner Gautam Gambhir were the first to take the nets and spent around 20-30 minutes.

Yuvraj Singh was the only notable absentee during the training since it was an optional practice session.

Dhoni has said that the form of the top-three has been a cause of concern for the team.

The spotlight will be on Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj and Suresh Raina to perform or perish at the Ferozeshah Kotla as selectors will announce the team for the five-math England series Sunday night after the third ODI against Pakistan.

Pakistan have already clinched the ODI series 2-0 while the two-match Twenty20 ended in a draw.

IANS 2013-01-05 19:26:07