Sehwag owes it to Dravid, Tendulkar does not

New Delhi, Mar 3 (UNI) If it was not skipper Rahul Dravid's unwavering support, the swashbuckling 'Nawab of Najafgarh' would have been sitting at home.

However, batting mastero Sachin Tendulkar's appointment as vice captain was made without consulting the skipper.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the BCCI Selection Committee Dilip Vengsarkar in an Interview to CNN-IBN.

Virender Sehwag, known for his merciless decimation of bowlers of all hues, was on the verge of being dropped from the World Cup squad but Rahul Dravid made it amply clear that he needs the Delhi player come what may.

''If Rahul had not insisted Sehwag would not have gone for the World Cup. However, I am keeping my fingers tightly crossed that Sehwag performs at the showpiece event,'' he told Karan Thapar in 'Devil's Advocate' programme.

The former Indian captain candidly admitted that Sehwag was chosen for the team only 'because of Dravid'.

Vengsarkar also spilled more beans with regards to the composition of the squad which has already landed in the picturesque Caribbean island.

Commenting on the selection of Irfan Pathan and Yuvraj Singh despite not being fully fit, Vengsarkar said, ''They were picked up because they have great experience and a great track record.'' With regard to Tendulkar's appointment as vice captain, Vengsarkar explained that there was no other option for the selectors.

''However, this was done without consulting Dravid,'' he added.

Describing Romesh Powar's exclusion as ''very unlucky'', he regretted that the spinner could not find a place in the team.

About Mohd Kaif, the ''Colonel'' said the Uttar Pradesh player was a great fielder but his ''batting is not form which is why he was not picked.'' More UNI