Sehwag backs senior brigade, says can't write them off

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) India's most successful Test batsman this year, Virender Sehwag today downplayed the suggestions that time has come for the senior brigade to step down and said he considers himself no where close to those players who have laid a foundation for the youngsters to take the game in the country to greater heights.

Recently the selecters dropped former captain Sourav Ganguly from the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy match to be played against Delhi which will be led by Sehwag.

Former players have been pressing hard to replace the seniors like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and even Sachin Tendulkar's name been a part of that list many times.

''I believe Sachin, Sourav, Rahul and Laxman have done a lot in building this team and I stand no where close to them,'' Sehwag said here.

He asserted that a bad phase through which everyone goes is what these players are going and a lot should not be drawn out if it.

''Every player goes through a bad phase and so are they. No body stays away from it. I went through the same and for me it all went for a year,'' he added.

The 29-year-old opener further also chose to pull his name out of contention to replace Anil Kumble as Test captian and said he was not bothered about who is leading the side and was happy to chip in with his suggestions which have worked well for the team so far.

''I don't care about who is leading the team and captaincy certainly doesn't bother me.

''I am happy to give my inputs to the captain like in Perth where it worked and turned out to be a match-winning move,'' the opener mentioned.

He also came in support of Yuvraj Singh who recently won the ICC Twenty20 performance of the year but has struggled with his form lately.

''Yuvraj has proved himself time and again. It is the recognition of his performances over the years that the ICC chose him for the award.

''I think one can not write off any one with a few bad performances, be it our seniors, Yuvraj or anyone,'' he added.

Sehwag further mentioned that the Delhi team has been doing great lately and has contributed a lot to the national side.

He also sounded upbeat for the match against Rest of India on September 24 and said in near future he is looking to see 6-7 players from Delhi in the national side.

''I know Delhi has been playing some great cricket lately and players like Pradeep Sangwan, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have all done well.

''I think DDCA and Arun Jaitely should be complimented for Delhi's recent success,'' he said.

UNI RAR RKM HT1948