Shukla calls for Sehwag's inclusion in IPL's icon list

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) BCCI Vice-president Rajiv Shukla today called for the inclusion of Virender Sehwag in the list of icon players for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

''Sehwag's name was proposed in the governing council meeting,'' Mr Shukla said.''We fully support it.'' ''At present only the names of Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh are included in the icon players,'' he said, adding ''But if the franchises and sponsors have no problems, then Sehwag will also be a part of that list.

''Apart from Chennai and Bangalore, all the other franchises have announced their support for the move.'' ''According to the Chennai and Bangalore franchises, the IPL guidelines were originally prepared on the basis of four icon players and it would be absurd to change the guidelines at this stage.'' he said.

When asked about the non-inclusion of Sehwag in today's match, Mr Shukla said, ''these things are team management's prerogative.

They decide the team based on the pitch conditions. We should leave these things to the team management.'' Speaking on Sunil Gavaskar's criticism of Munaf Patel during the last match against Australia in the ongoing CB series, Mr Shukla said, ''everyone is entitled to have his opinion.'' Mr Shukla dismissed suggestions that criticism by television commentators during a match can have an adverse effect on a player's morale.

''Players do not listen to the television during a match. So there is no effect on their morale,'' he said.

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