After being out of action for over two months following a shoulder injury that needed surgery, dashing opener Virender Sehwag is hoping to return to top-notch cricket through the ICC Champions Trophy next month in South Africa.
"I am hoping to play in the ICC Champions Trophy. My rehabilitation is going well," said the Delhi batsman on the sidelines of a book release function in Mumbai on Friday.
Sehwag sustained the shoulder injury during the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League in South Africa in May while captaining Delhi Daredevils against eventual winners Deccan Chargers.
He was in the Indian squad for the World Twenty20 Cup in England but could not play any part because of the injury to his right shoulder that needed surgery.
Sehwag underwent a surgery on June 11 after a lesion was identified in the injured shoulder and he was ruled out of action from between 12 to 16 weeks. The lesion was expected to heal in six weeks.
Indian team's physio Nitin Patel was given the task of monitoring Sehwag's rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
The Champions Trophy, earlier termed the Mini World Cup, is also to be held in South Africa from September 22.
Sehwag said he will start batting practice from the first week of September and is now able to lift 10 kg with his injured shoulder.
"But I can't throw or bowl yet," he said.
As a first step towards a recall into the Indian team, Sehwag, who has played in 69 Tests and 205 ODIs in which he has amassed a combined 12,000-plus runs, at a fabulous strike rate of close to 90, is to visit the NCA in Bangalore on August 15.
"I am set to go to Bangalore on August 15 [for assessment of his progress from injury]," said the ace batsman who has 26 hundreds to his credit in Tests and ODIs combined.
Significantly, the Indian selectors are to meet on August 16 to pick the Champions Trophy squad, as well as the ODI squad for the triangular series in Sri Lanka preceding it, on the next day at Chennai.
Sehwag's selection for the ICC event would depend on the report that would be sent by the Indian team physiotherapist ahead of the selection panel meeting. He has been visiting the NCA after his surgery as part of his rehab process.
If he fails to make the cut for the Champions Trophy the next target is the seven-match ODI series against World Cup champions Australia that commences on October 25.
Photograph: Reuters
