NEW DELHI, March 4: Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar was taken to task by a cricket official on Sunday after saying out-of-form batsman Virender Sehwag was included on India's World Cup team at skipper Rahul Dravid's insistence.

In an interview with a TV channel, Vengsarkar said if Dravid hadn't demanded Sehwag's inclusion he may not have been on the team.

“Vengsarkar's comments on Saturday could only lead to controversy ahead of India's campaign in the World Cup,” Rajiv Shukla, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, told reporters.

“The team is selected by five selectors in consultation with the captain and the coach. Selection issues should not come out in the open,” said Shukla. “It creates unnecessary controversy before the World Cup.”

Sehwag missed several One-day Internationals since he was dropped from the team because of his dismal performance on the recent tour of South Africa.

Going through the leanest form of his career, Sehwag lost the Indian team's vice-captaincy and was dropped for a home series against the West Indies before being recalled against Sri Lanka.—AP