(Cricinfo) India opener Virender Sehwag has suffered a shoulder injury, which has ruled him out of the ICC World Twenty20 beginning in the West Indies on April 30. The explosive opener has been advised to rest for three to four weeks, and has been replaced by Tamil Nadu batsman M Vijay in the 15-man squad, the BCCI said in a statement.
The BCCI statement, however, did not mention how or when Sehwag sustained the injury. Sehwag played all 14 IPL league matches for Delhi Daredevils, scoring 356 runs at an average of 25, with his last appearance being on April 18. He was deemed fit when included in the World Twenty20 squad so it’s likely the injury occurred during Delhi’s IPL campaign.
The blow is similar to the one India suffered before the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. Sehwag had sustained a shoulder injury during the 2009 IPL in South Africa, shortly before the World Twenty20 was due to begin. He travelled with the squad to England, but was not able to play a game. India was eliminated without winning a game in the second round.
His replacement, Vijay, has been in aggressive form for Chennai Super Kings, scoring 417 runs, including a century, at an average of 38. He has been India’s back-up opener for Tests and ODIs as well.
Meanwhile Gautam Gambhir will replace Sehwag as the team’s vice-captain.
