Thought I had a good chance: Chopra

Virender Sehwag's recall to the Indian team has raised a few eyebrows. And the person, at whose expense Sehwag has come in, is disappointed, reports AR Hemant.

One Dilliwala's loss is another one's gain. Virender Sehwag's recall to the Indian team has raised a few eyebrows. And the person, at whose expense Sehwag has come in, is disappointed.

HT Image

Sehwag's statemate, Aakash Chopra, has been experiencing a windfall of runs this season and was among the probables named for the Australian tour. But the selectors instead chose Sehwag, who wasn't even among the short-listed 24.

"I would be lying if I said I am not disappointed," Chopra told Hindustan Times on the phone from Mumbai after Delhi's game against Maharashtra.

"With the shoulder injury to Gautam (Gambhir), there were only so many openers left. I thought I stood a good chance, especially with my 800 runs (in 8 First Class games) this season," he said.

Chopra said he was also backing on his good showing Down Under the last time India toured there in the summer of 2003-4. Even though Chopra played bass to Sehwag's furious lead, the two combined flawlessly to neutralise Australia's new-ball attack to set up games for India.

Chopra has no grudges against Sehwag. "Viru is a great guy and we are good friends. But obviously, I am disappointed," he says, adding that his focus is on getting runs and taking Delhi through to the Ranji semis, and then hopefully, the final.