Sehwag denies India bias claims

By Ayanjit Sen in Delhi

Wright (right) spent four-and-a-half years as India coach

India vice-captain Virender Sehwag has denied allegations of selectorial bias made by former coach John Wright.

Wright claimed in his autobiography selectors pushed for players from their own regions but then clarified his beef was with the system, not individuals.

"There is no bias in the selection of players. Only performance is taken into consideration," said Sehwag.

"The player does not get selected because he is from a zone. Ultimately it is the decision of five selectors."

There has been no disagreement between Wright and us Syed Kirmani Former chairman of selectors

Former New Zealand batsman Wright was India coach from 2000 to 2005, when he stepped down and was replaced by Greg Chappell.

His book Indian Summers, which was launched in New Zealand on Tuesday, has been serialised this week in Indian newspapers.

He wrote: "The first six or seven selections were straightforward.

"But when it got down to the marginal selections, those last three or four spots that determine the balance of the team and your ability to develop new players, the zonal factor kicked in."

Chandu Borde, who was a selector between 2000-03, said Wright never objected to the teams nominated.

"We used to select the team on a majority basis but we always wanted that the team should be the best," he said.

Another former chairman of selectors, Syed Kirmani, feels there has been a misinterpretation of what Wright wrote.

"There has been no disagreement between Wright and us," he said.

"We used to consult the coach and the captain and then finally take our decision.

"Ultimately merit and talent is what matters for a player to be selected."