'Mistake on their part'- Virender Sehwag questions selectors for not having Rohit Sharma's backup

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has questioned the selectors for not having a backup opener for skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the rescheduled fifth Test match against England on July 1. Rohit tested positive for COVID-19 which could refrain him from taking the field for this contest.

With Rohit’s availability being doubtful and the visitors not having an extra opener in their squad, Sehwag said that the selectors took the decision without taking any unforeseen situations into consideration, especially the COVID-19 factor. Giving further explanation on the same, the cricketer-turned-cricket pundit said that India should have certainly carried one or two extra players in their squad.

No one anticipated this Covid factor: Virender Sehwag

“I think there is a mistake on the part of selectors that we didn’t take an extra opener as back-up. Because everyone thought Rohit is fit, Shubman Gill is fit. No one anticipated this Covid factor.  One or two extra players always go and in days of Covid, you have 20-22 extra players. If you have a 22-man squad and you don’t have an extra opener, it’s a big mistake on your part,” said Sehwag while speaking on Sony’s pre-match show for India vs Ireland ‘Extra Innings.’

“Someone will be asked to open. Maybe Pujara, maybe KS Bharat. Now if Bharat opens and he fails, will he get another chance? Pujara had made an excellent comeback, if he doesn’t score, will he play again?,” he wondered.

“If you do make someone a makeshift opener, you have to give him confidence. ‘that okay, you put yourself above the team, we will back you in the future’,” he further added.

Only Rohit and Shubman Gill were the two specialist openers in the original squad after vice-captain KL Rahul was excluded due to a groin injury which is expected to keep him out of action for a while. Meanwhile, the selectors have decided to include Mayank Agarwal in the squad at the very last moment as an additional backup.

It now remains to be seen what would be India’s opening combination for the Edgbaston Test, but the main focus will be on who will be leading the visitors in Rohit Sharma’s absence.