India vs England: We should play an extra bowler, says Sehwag

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Virender Sehwag wants to see Ishant Sharma in the playing eleven against England. (Twitter)
Virender Sehwag wants to see Ishant Sharma in the playing eleven against England. (Twitter)

Dubai - The former India player warned India against complacency after their famous win over Australia

By Team KT

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Published: Thu 4 Feb 2021, 9:18 PM

Last updated: Thu 4 Feb 2021, 9:30 PM

More than 20 years after Don Bradman’s famous comment on Sachin Tendulkar that the Indian batsman’s game reminded him of his own batting, Virender Sehwag revealed which current batsman reminded of his glory days in cricket.

During a Zoom interview with Anis Sajan, the former mentor of T10 team Delhi Bulls, Sehwag said it’s Rishabh Pant who bats like him and who can deliver in the series against England, just like he did against Australia.


“No doubt, Virender Sehwag is not part of Indian team, but Rishabh Pant is a part of this team and when he plays, he bats like Virender Sehwag,” the legendary Indian opening batsman said.

“Pant showed that in Australia. We won the Test match in Brisbane because of his brilliant, unbeaten 89,” added Sehwag, while stating that Pant’s role would be crucial again in the England series.


Sehwag admitted that the series would also see a battle between two of the best batsmen in the world – Virat Kohli and Joe Root.

“They are the top players of their teams, and they are the captains as well. They are among the world’s top five batsmen as well. So there will definitely be a contest between them,” Sehwag said.

“But having said that, at the end of the day, the team that bowls better will win the series because you need 20 wickets to win Test matches.”

Sehwag also wants India to play an extra bowler in the absence of the injured Ravindra Jadeja.

“Because you don’t have Jadeja, you can play one extra bowler. Jadeja is a bowler who keeps it tight from one end and takes wickets as well. You cannot expect the same level from the bowler who is going to replace him,” Sehwag said.

“I think it’s because of this reason India should go with one extra bowler. Whether it’s a pace bowler or a spinner, they just need to play one extra bowler.”

And Sehwag would also like to see the return of Ishant Sharma because of the veteran fast bowler's ability to bowl reverse swing.

"I would prefer Ishant Sharma to play because he bowls the reverse swing really well. He has played 96-97 Test matches, so he is hugely experienced," he said.

"He has got huge experience of bowling in Test matches in India where the condition favour reverse swing."

The former Delhi player, though, warned India against complacency after their famous win over Australia.

“That win (in Australia) is in the past. Now they are playing a new series against a new team,” he said.

“The advantage for this England team is that they had very good practice against spin bowling in the recent Sri Lanka series which they won.”

But to beat India in India, Sehwag said England must score big in first innings.

“If England can post a good first innings total, they can cause India some trouble. But if India keep taking big first innings lead, then it will be very difficult for England.”

sports@khaleejtimes.com


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