“I am really glad to see Sehwag back on the field. His exclusion from the game against Australia was baffling. A big player like him shouldn’t be dropped in a critical stage of the tournament,” said Akram who recalled his first-hand experience concerning the Delhi dasher although Sehwag scored only 21 (3x4, 1x6) in the 2003 World Cup game. “He smashed us to all corners of the park,” recalled Akram, who stressed decisions like the one the Indian team management took could have a bad effect on the confidence level of a player.

Virender Sehwag in action against Pakistan yesterday. Pic/AFP