Sehwag out because of shoulder injury or back spasms?

Virender Sehwag's omission from the squad for the Asia Cup took a curious turn on Thursday, with a media report claiming that the opener had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India for rest because of back spasms.

"I have back spasms. I need some rest. I have never kept my team management in the dark as far as fitness is concerned. My injury is open for everyone to see," Sehwag was quoted as having said in Midday.

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However, this revelation flies in the face of what the chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said while announcing the team in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Srikkanth had said that Sehwag was rested on fitness grounds. When a reporter followed it up with some questions, the former India captain lost his cool, and asked the scribe to "shut up".

If Sehwag had asked the BCCI for rest, Srikkanth could easily have disclosed it to the media.

Moreover, Srikkanth told a television channel that Sehwag had a shoulder injury, while as the newspaper quotes the opening batsman as saying that he had "back spasms".

"I have never hidden my injury before, or fitness problems. Even my shoulder operation was planned after consulting the then coach, Gary Kirsten, and skipper MS Dhoni," Sehwag said.

Midday claimed that Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher told the selectors that Sehwag was seeking rest after the strenuous tour of Australia.

Later, Srikkanth called up Sehwag, who told him that he wanted rest but would be willing to tour Bangladesh if the selectors insist.