Will Dhoni save Virender Sehwag from being axed?

Sandeep Patil & Co are likely to drop out of form Virender Sehwag if India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni fails to convince the national selectors about giving the swashbuckling opener another lifeline when they meet today to announce the team for the remaining two Tests against Australia.

Virender Sehwag

India may have done exceedingly well to take a 2-0 lead in the series, but Sehwag's form remains a big concern. It is learnt that the selectors may drop the Delhi batsman due to his poor run of scores.

Dhoni's hint
However, Dhoni hinted after the Hyderabad Test that Sehwag would get another chance. "You have to create a balance... You also need to see what situation we are in, because we will be touring abroad and we don't have that many Test matches after this series.

"In between we hardly play any Tests and we go off to South Africa… I won't really like to comment," he said after an emphatic win at Uppal.

There are two reasons for Dhoni backing Sehwag. Firstly, he doesn't want to change a winning combination. Secondly, Sehwag is an experienced campaigner and his inclusion might also help Dhoni striking the right combination during the South Africa tour later this year. Team India is not schedule to play any Tests before the SA series.

MS Dhoni Pics/Getty Images

Planning for Proteas
India is expected to go in with three medium-pacers and a spinner in the playing XI in South Africa. Dhoni may need another specialist batsman for that tour in place of Ravindra Jadeja, who is doing the job of a fifth bowler.

In the ongoing Australia series, Sehwag has scored only 27 in three innings. During the home series against England, he made 253 runs in seven innings.

He has not had a 50-plus score after his 117 in the Ahmedabad Test against England. During India's last tour to Australia which the visitors lost 0-4, Sehwag scored 198 in eight innings.