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Rotate fast bowlers to avoid injury: Sehwag

October 30, 2011 17:36 IST

Dashing India opener Virender Sehwag believes the only way to avoid injuries, is to rotate the fast bowlers by giving them regular breaks.

"It's important that the team management ensures that they don't play too many matches. Fast bowlers are prone to injuries and when they get injured their pace goes," Sehwag said.

"Besides, when you are injured, your comeback becomes very difficult," he added.

Sehwag, who is looking forward to the series against West Indies after recovering from a shoulder injury, said any decision to have different teams for Tests and the shorter versions of the game lies entirely with the selectors.

Virender Sehwag"A cricketer's passion is to play for the country. If somebody says he's tired, he can talk to the team management. Dhoni was not given rest on his request, because there were too many injuries in the team," he told Aajtak.

The 33-year-old said he was very frustrated when he got injured and admitted that he made a mistake by playing in England when he had not fully recovered.

"I knew I was needed. I tried my best but I realised I hurried my comeback in England. It was a difficult time in England for the whole team... so many injuries," he said.

The Delhi Daredevils skipper also rejected the perception that Indian player prefer IPL over playing Test matches and said this whole club over country debate was ridiculous.

"Tell me one cricketer who has said that. It's a perception that the media and ex-cricketers have. Every youngster dreams of playing Tests. There is not a single Indian or for that matter international cricketer who has taken retirement from Tests and ODIs to play IPL," he said.

"I played the World Cup with injuries, Sachin played when he had a fractured toe or other injuries. People are not aware of this," he said.

Sehwag said nobody will be able to replace Sachin Tendulkar.

"Nobody will ever play for as long as Sachin has however good he may be. There can never be another Sachin," he said.

Sehwag felt Indian cricket is in safe hands with so many youngsters playing well.

The Delhi cricketer singled out Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma as the players who will carry Indian cricket forward.

"When the seniors retire, I have full faith in these talented youngsters taking their place. There may be a problem for a year or two, but Indian cricket is in safe hands."

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