Sehwag doubtful for quarter-final v Australia

Opener Virender Sehwag is doubtful for India's World Cup quarter-final against Australia on Thursday with a knee problem, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.

"On Viru (Sehwag) we are taking a call late in the evening or tomorrow morning before the start of the game," Dhoni told reporters on Wednesday.

"Apart from him everybody else is fit for the game."

Sehwag missed India's last Group B match against West Indies on Sunday after suffering an allergic reaction to an injection on his right knee but the co-hosts will be keen to play him against Australia as he has the ability to blunt Australia's formidable pace attack.

"It's really good to have Virender Sehwag opening the innings for you, because... deliveries will be short and to the body... and he's the kind of batsman, if you are slightly wrong with it, he can make the most out of that kind of a bowling," Dhoni said.

"He can play an aggressive game, he can change the course of the game in the first five overs and give your team the kind of momentum that is needed."

The explosive batsman had earlier been hit on the rib during a net session last month and rushed to Delhi to consult his personal physician before joining the squad.

Sehwag scored a blistering 175 in India's tournament opener against Bangladesh and is among the tournament's top five scorers with 327 runs.

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