Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 668 Sun. April 16, 2006  
   
Sports


Dravid defends Sehwag, Kaif


Indian captain Rahul Dravid jumped to the defence of non-performing teammates Virender Sehwag and Mohammad Kaif on Friday, saying their poor form was a passing phase.

"Veeru and Kaif are proven players at the top level and I am sure they will come good," Dravid said ahead of Saturday's seventh and final one-dayer against England here.

"No one can write off such cricketers. I have full faith in their abilities."

Vice-captain Sehwag, regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen in modern cricket, has averaged just 15.60 in the series with a top score of 26.

Kaif, a reliable middle-order batsman and athletic fielder, has fared even worse with an average of 4.80 in five matches.

Former captain Bishen Bedi has led calls for both players to be excluded from Saturday's match and the two one-dayers against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"No matter what the team management thinks, there is no option but to rest them both," the outspoken Bedi said.

"Let them spend a rigorous fortnight at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to rediscover their close relationship with their respective bats.

"While it is commendable that the team management still has faith in Sehwag and Kaif, the latter would do well not to stretch it to a point of no return.

"Once the amicable understanding snaps that'll be it."

Sehwag, who led India in the sixth one-dayer in Jamshedpur on Wednesday which England won by five wickets, said after that game he might sit out the final match in Indore.

"It is difficult to think about your cricket when so much cricket is being played," said Sehwag.

"But Rahul is back as captain and it is up to him and coach Greg Chappell to finalise the team."

Dravid was rested after India took an invincible 4-0 lead in the series and even though the fifth match in Guwahati was washed out, he was sorely missed in Jamshedpur as India were shot out for 223.