Former players call for India's Sehwag to be dropped

MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Several former players have called for India batsman Virender Sehwag to be dropped after the opener's woeful form continued in the side's shock World Cup defeat to Bangladesh in Trinidad on Saturday.

The 28-year-old batsman looked unsure in the middle and lasted just six deliveries of India's Group B opener before dragging a Mashrafe Mortaza delivery onto his stumps in the third over to be dismissed for two, triggering a collapse.

"Before this match I believed he should be tried. But the way he got out, I am in two minds whether he should be persisted with on past performances," former captain Ajit Wadekar told Reuters on Sunday.

Winners in 1983 and finalists in the last tournament, India need to win their remaining two matches against Bermuda on Monday and former champions Sri Lanka on Friday to be sure of advancing to the Super-Eight phase.

Sehwag has hit just one fifty in his last 14 innings and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar had disclosed recently that the player was only picked for the World Cup at the specific request of skipper Rahul Dravid.

"Bermuda could be the last chance for him, for when he clicks he is a match-winner, else he should be sent back to domestic cricket," Wadekar said.

A fierce striker of the ball, Sehwag made a name as a destructive batsman and scored all his seven centuries and 21 of his 24 fifties as an opener, but the form-slump had almost cost him his World Cup place.

Former chief selector Kiran More told Reuters on Sunday that Sehwag should be rested and Robin Uthappa, who batted at number three against Bangladesh, open in his place.

"A good start is very important. I think (Robin) Uthappa should open and Rahul (Dravid) should bat at number three as he is one who can carry the innings," More said.