Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag criticised Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s approach in the 197-run chase against India as they suffered a 50-run defeat in the T20 World Cup Super Eight clash on Saturday. After being asked to bat first, Hardik Pandya hammered an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls studded with four fours and three sixes while Virat Kohli scored 37 to guide India to 196/5 in 20 overs. In response, Bangladesh faltered in the middle overs after a decent start as they lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to get over the line. Shakib departed after scoring 11 off seven balls while trying to hit Kuldeep Yadav to a boundary.

Kuldeep bagged three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh clinched two scalps each to restrict Bangladesh to 146/8 in 20 overs.

“When you have a set batter with you at the crease, at least support him. At least stay out in the middle and spend some time, try to get something out of the match. Instead, only 11 runs were scored off seven deliveries and then he walked back. So, I did not understand that,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

The veteran batter added that Shakib should announce his retirement and pave the way for the youngsters in the side.

“He has so much experience. So, is he not making the most of it or does he simply not care? Or was he thinking that the target is too big and I just scored a six, and now I will score a six off every ball. That’s why I said it the last time itself, he needs to make way for a younger player now,” Sehwag added.

With two losses in Super Eight matches, Bangladesh are all but out of the semifinal race. They will take on Afghanistan in their last match on June 25.

When Pakistan entered the T20 World Cup 2024, the signs were already there. Unimpressive displays against Ireland and England in two successive T20I series meant that Pakistan’s form going into the T20 World Cup was not ideal. Still Pakistan often have the habit of springing a surprise when they are least expected to – like at the 2027 Champions Trophy or the 2022 T20 World cup. This time, however, it was different. Pakistan were stunned in their first match by debutants USA and then lost to India despite being in a comfortable position. 

In the third game, they beat Canada but in their fourth match, Pakistan were given a massive scare by Ireland as they went seven dwoin in chase of 107, before managing to win by three wickets. 

Babar Azam stayed unbeaten on 32 off 34. Indian cricket great Virender Sehwag said that if a new captain is appointed for Pakistan’s T20I team, Babar does not deserve a plave in the side. 

“Babar Azam is not a player who will hit sixes. He only hits sixes when he is set and spinners are operating. I have never seen him using his feet to fast bowlers or hitting sixes over the covers; it’s not his game as he plays safe cricket by hitting down the ground. So, he consistently scores runs and his strike-rate isn’t great,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

“But as a leader you have to think whether this game is useful for his team. If not, then demote yourself and send someone who can play big shots in the six overs and get the team 50–60 runs. I may sound harsh, but if the captain changes, Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team. His performances and strike-rate are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket.”

Former India batter Virender Sehwag has lashed out Pakistan amid criticism over the Babar Azam-led side’s Elimination from the T20 World Cup. Despite Pakistan bowing out with a win in their final group game against Ireland, Sehwag questioned the team’s future. After restricting Ireland to 106/9, Pakistan too had difficulties while chasing as they lost seven wickets before captain Babar Azam played a composed knock to see the side through. While analysing the match, Sehwag questioned Pakistan’s approach while chasing small totals against relatively weaker teams.

“We didn’t think that (Ireland) would reach 106 runs and we also didn’t think that Pakistan would take 19 overs to chase that down. What have Pakistan done here, I don’t get it. Yes, they won but first they let them go from 32/6 to 106 and then it wasn’t like it was a very difficult wicket or that Ireland’s bowling was so good that you had to play so carefully in the chase,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

After Pakistan’s exit from the tournament last week, reports have been rampant that the team’s performance have been affected due to groupism within the team.

The reports claimed that Babar, who was re-appointed as skipper, wasn’t able to unite the players, with Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan also happy.

Sharing his views on the same, Sehwag questioned the dressing room culture of the team, blasting the players for putting personal interests before the team.

“This is why we call them unpredictable, you can never if they will play well or poorly. In this World Cup they have been poor more often. I don’t know what their dressing room is like. If things are fine between the players. That also plays a role.

“If there are players who are unhappy with the captain or if there are two or three groups within the dressing room and so on, that also plays a role, but I say you have to keep those things to the side and think for Pakistan. This match shouldn’t have gone on for so long. But fine, at least they won it,” he added.

Former Bangladesh cricket team batter Imrul Kayes blasted Virender Sehwag for his comments on Shakib Al Hasan over his poor run of form in the T20 World Cup 2024. The legendary India batter was extremely critical of Shakib after he failed to perform in Bangladesh’s loss against South Africa. He went on to say that Shakib should have retired from the game after the last World Cup and even asked him to remember that he is a Bangladeshi batter and he should play accordingly. In a recent interview, Kayes expressed his displeasure at the comments and said that as Sehwag did not receive any respect during his cricketing career, he believes that ex-India star does not know how to give respect to others.

“I don’t know how a legendary cricketer like him thinks when he says such things. You won’t see Sachin-Dravid talking like this because they give that respect to players. Since he didn’t get that respect in his career, he doesn’t know how to give that respect to other players.” Imrul told CricFrenzy.

“Different countries’ cricketers evaluate other countries’ cricketers differently. Virender Sehwag has made such comments throughout his career. He has also made such comments about our country, saying we don’t have an environment suitable for cricket, and that we don’t have the ability to take 20 wickets in Test cricket. But we did take those wickets,” the former Bangladesh cricketer added.

Imrul also praised Shakib Al Hasan for his achievements and said that he believes “such cricketers should be spoken about with respect”.

“Shakib did not become Shakib Al Hasan in one or two days. If you look at his career, you will see many achievements. He has been the number one all-rounder in all three formats for a long time. I think such cricketers should be spoken about with respect,” he concluded.

MS Dhoni is one of the greats of the Indian Premier League. Whenever the name of Dhoni is taken in the tournament, the franchise Chennai Super Kings also comes along with it quite often than not. This is because Dhoni has played for the side since the inception of the league in 2008. He has featured for CSK throughout IPL, barring the two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the side was banned. During his long stint with the team, Dhoni also led the side to record-equalling five IPL titles. Be it from the CSK franchise or its fans, the player has earned immense love and respect.

However, former India opener Virender Sehwag has made an intriguing revelation. While speaking to Fever FM, he said that Dhoni was not the first-choice captain for the franchise. According to Sehwag, VB Chandrashekhar, who was man-in-charge to buy players for CSK ahead of the inaugural IPL season, had approached him.

“VB Chandrashekhar was selecting the players for CSK. He phone-called me and said, ‘We want you to play for CSK. Delhi Daredevils want you to be their icon. Don’t accept the offer’. I was like, fine, we will see,” said Sehwag.

“Finally, I received the offer from Delhi Daredevils to be their icon player and I accepted it. I didn’t go into the auction. If I were a part of the auction, CSK would’ve bought me and made me the captain of the side. But then, they bought MS Dhoni and made him the captain,” Sehwag said.

Sehwag joined Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and played six seasons for the side before moving to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) ahead of IPL 2024. He played two editions of the new side and then hanged up his boots.