Sehwag risking WI, Eng tour to play IPL

New Delhi: A World Cup win can bring satisfaction of a lifetime and champion players rummage around for a recliner to relax while the medal sits on the chest perpetually. But winds of change have refashioned perceptions, where the IPL money rules the roost and other issues move to the back-burner.

Virender Sehwag's niggling shoulder injury, which forced him out of the ODIs on the South African tour to be fit for the World Cup, is one such example where a player risks jeopardising his career for franchisee reputation and some extra zeroes.

Sehwag and BCCI's decision to delay the shoulder surgery until after the World Cup was in national interest, but postponing it for franchisee cricket defies logic.

In contrast, neighbouring giants Sri Lanka have issued marching orders to their IPL-serving players midway through the tournament to prepare for national duty for the tour of England.

This opens Sehwag's disregard towards his fitness to even severe scrutiny as India too have energy-sapping tour of the West Indies commencing just six days after the IPL final on May 28, followed by the tour to England.

What more, the delay has already cost India Sehwag's more than useful off-spin. Though it thankfully didn't hurt the team in the World Cup, the signs indicate his decision to delay can make it only worse.

So if the 'Devil' is planning to 'Dare' the scalpel after the IPL, it's almost certain that the most feared opener in world cricket has resigned to the fact that he won't tour the Caribbean.

Does it mean that Sehwag and BCCI have wilted under the pressure of big-spending franchises, treating national interest secondarily? Is India's tour of the West Indies trivial in comparison to domestic entertainment like the IPL?

These and many similar incisive questions are waiting to dissect Sehwag and the Indian board's decision to put off an imminent treatment. Hope it doesn't cost India a disaster in the West Indies after a fairytale in the subcontinent.

Source: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/sehwag-risking-wi-eng-tour-to-play-ipl/56541-13.html

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Sehwag risking WI, Eng tour to play IPL

New Delhi: A World Cup win can bring satisfaction of a lifetime and champion players rummage around for a recliner to relax while the medal sits on the chest perpetually. But winds of change have refashioned perceptions, where the IPL money rules the roost and other issues move to the back-burner.

Virender Sehwag's niggling shoulder injury, which forced him out of the ODIs on the South African tour to be fit for the World Cup, is one such example where a player risks jeopardising his career for franchisee reputation and some extra zeroes.

Sehwag and BCCI's decision to delay the shoulder surgery until after the World Cup was in national interest, but postponing it for franchisee cricket defies logic.

In contrast, neighbouring giants Sri Lanka have issued marching orders to their IPL-serving players midway through the tournament to prepare for national duty for the tour of England.

This opens Sehwag's disregard towards his fitness to even severe scrutiny as India too have energy-sapping tour of the West Indies commencing just six days after the IPL final on May 28, followed by the tour to England.

What more, the delay has already cost India Sehwag's more than useful off-spin. Though it thankfully didn't hurt the team in the World Cup, the signs indicate his decision to delay can make it only worse.

So if the 'Devil' is planning to 'Dare' the scalpel after the IPL, it's almost certain that the most feared opener in world cricket has resigned to the fact that he won't tour the Caribbean.

Does it mean that Sehwag and BCCI have wilted under the pressure of big-spending franchises, treating national interest secondarily? Is India's tour of the West Indies trivial in comparison to domestic entertainment like the IPL?

These and many similar incisive questions are waiting to dissect Sehwag and the Indian board's decision to put off an imminent treatment. Hope it doesn't cost India a disaster in the West Indies after a fairytale in the subcontinent.

Source: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/sehwag-risking-wi-eng-tour-to-play-ipl/56541-13.html

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Devastated Pietersen out of W. Cup

Superstar batsman Kevin Pietersen became the latest victim of the injury-cursed World Cup on Monday, dealing a blow to England's hopes as well as the lustre of the sport's showpiece tournament. Pietersen will head home to undergo a hernia operation that he had been hoping to postpone until after the competition. But after looking troubled during Sunday's six-run win over his native South Africa in Chennai, where he made just two off three balls, the 30-year-old will go under the knife immediately.

"I fly home tonight. Out of the WC & IPL (Indian Premier League). Absolutely devastated," Pietersen wrote on his Twitter account. "Sad to leave India. Love the people & the hospitality. Alvida doston (Goodbye friends)." Pietersen will be the 14th player to be replaced at the World Cup as the gruelling international schedule takes its toll.

He first complained of the problem after the 6-1 ODI defeat to Australia on the eve of the World Cup which immediately followed the Ashes triumph. Pietersen, who in common with the majority of his English colleagues has been on the road virtually non-stop for more than four months, played in all of England's opening group games at the World Cup. He made 39 against the Netherlands, 31 in the game against India, and 59 during the embarrassing loss to Ireland before finishing with two in the narrow victory over South Africa. Pietersen will also suffer a financial hiding as the injury rules him out of the IPL where he was due to earn around $650,000 playing for the Deccan Chargers. England, who will ask for Eoin Morgan as a replacement, will now hope Pietersen is fit and rested ahead of a busy home season of international cricket with Sri Lanka and India due to visit.

"Kevin's a world class player," England coach Andy Flower told Sky Sports News as the team headed for Chittagong and Friday's match against Bangladesh. "But he's got a problem and I've seen the scan. It's a problem that he has been dealing with for a number of weeks now so he has to get that sorted out and hopefully he will be ready for the first Test against Sri Lanka in May." England are second in Group B after Sunday's win, just behind India who ended Ireland's hopes of another upset with an efficient five-wicket victory in Bangalore. Defeat to England sent South Africa, still searching for a first World Cup title, spinning from top spot to fourth place in the table after they failed to chase down a 172 target.

Meanwhile, Mike Hussey said he was delighted to be called up to Australia's World Cup squad. The 35-year-old batsman, who was originally sidelined by a hamstring injury which required surgery, has been summoned to replace paceman Doug Bollinger. "Just going is a bit of a dream come true but to actually be there as part of a winning Australian team would be out of this world, so let's hope," Hussey said. In Monday's clash of the Group A whipping boys at New Delhi, Kenya made 198 with Canadian fast bowler Henry Osinde grabbing a career-best 4-26. For Kenya, both Tanmay Mishra and Thomas Odoyo made half centuries.

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37816/devastated-pietersen-out-of-w-cup

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Yuvraj injured ahead of England clash

Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh injured his hand during nets on Thursday, raising concerns about his fitness for their World Cup Group B match against England on Sunday.

Yuvraj picked up a minor injury on his hand after being hit by a delivery from bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, a Reuters cameraman said.

The explosive middle-order batsman was seen applying ice to the injury before he aborted the training session to seek medical attention.

"It was a minor niggle and he should be fit to play on Sunday," an Indian spokesman said.

Yuvraj is the latest Indian player to suffer injury woes as openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag picked up knee problems at the weekend.

Sehwag, who skipped practice for the last two days, was back at the nets on Thursday and showed off his batting skills at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

A billion dreams are resting on the Indian team's shoulders as they seek to become the second Indian team, after 1983's 'Kapil's Devils', to bag the 50-over World Cup.

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37028/yuvraj-injured-ahead-of-england-clash

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