Sehwag - Reuters

MUMBAI, India (Reuters):

INDIA'S CHIEF selector Dilip Vengsarkar disclosed yesterday that out-of-form batsman Virender Sehwag was picked for the World Cup only at the specific request of skipper Rahul Dravid.

The 28-year-old Delhi batsman goes into the showpiece event in the Caribbean starting on March 13 following a prolonged form-slump which nearly cost him his World Cup place.

Vengsarkar, a former captain, said Dravid wanted Sehwag in the team and that made the difference.

"I was not under pressure as such, but I will always back the captain," the chief selector said.

"Some players in the team also back Sehwag. Sehwag has done exceedingly well in the past."

Sehwag has been in poor form of late, having scored just one 50 in 13 innings since August, but showed his old touch when he made a quick 46 in the series-clinching victory against Sri Lanka last month.

India, the 1983 World Cup winners, are in Group B with 1996 champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda.