India vs England: Virender Sehwag feels there’s contradiction between Team India's statements and actions

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has questioned the way Team India has operated in the past few months when it comes to on-field decisions and statements which come out before matches. Sehwag talked about the inconsistency Virat Kohli’s team has shown while addressing Rishabh Pant’s form and inclusion in white-ball sides. 

The explosive statement came from the ex-cricketer after India’s loss in the first T20I against England on Friday in Ahmedabad. Kohli and Co. could only manage 124/7 in their 20 overs, after getting a horrid start with the bat. They were reduced to 20 for 3 initially, losing Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul for 4, 0, and 1 respectively. 

While talking on Cricbuzz live, Virender Sehwag, along with Ajay Jadeja and Gaurav Kapoor, were discussing England’s eight-win dominating win. Jadeja raised the question about how Kohli made a U-turn after revealing that Rohit Sharma will open with KL Rahul in the first T20I. Dhawan was given a nod as Rohit was rested. 

What they say and what they do are two different things: Virender Sehwag

After this, Jadeja also said that the batting approach from Kohli was more aggressive than his natural game, which led to his dismissal in the first T20I. Sehwag picked on this point and criticised Team India’s several statements which were proven inaccurate, considering their on-field calls. 

“I believe what has been said by the Indian team and the statements which come out and what has been done on the field are two different things, there is no match. At first, they had said they will back Rishabh Pant, but they didn’t do that and he was dropped from the ODI and T20I team.

“When he made runs in Test cricket, they said he has become fit and he is doing well, so we will play him again. Even now, they are saying they will allow Pant to play aggressively. But, if this continues, if he scores another of these 23-ball 21 and gets out, he will find himself once again on the bench,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz Live. 

Sehwag’s point was largely based on Kohli and the top order’s failure to give a good start. The fact that the top-order decided to take on the aggressive approach and got out early, put pressure on Pant and others. The Delhi batsman, who seemed to be seeing the ball well, had to tone down his gear before eventually getting out for 21 runs from 23 balls.