Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Indian cricket board Tuesday warned national team's vice captain Virender Sehwag for his comments on the issues of excessive cricket and squad selection.

Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said that Sehwag had been warned not to comment on the two sensitive issues.

Shah could not be contacted, but cricinfo.com quoted him as saying: "Sehwag has been warned verbally from speaking to the media on burnout and the Ganguly issue. Players cannot speak on board policies and selection matters."

In a recent interview, Sehwag had said captain Rahul Dravid had taken up the issue of excess cricket with BCCI president Sharad Pawar in Pakistan, seeking less international matches.

On Tuesday, Shah said: "If any player feels there is burnout, he can take rest. The board cannot change its policy or itinerary for any player."

On Sourav Ganguly, Sehwag had said in another interview that "we miss him" and that the deposed captain could still stage a comeback to the Indian team.

Ganguly, who had a well-documented fight with coach Greg Chappell during the tour of Zimbabwe last year, is currently out of both the Test and one-day teams.

"Players cannot speak on the Ganguly issue also. It is a matter that concerns the selection committee. As a player you cannot give your opinion on any other player," Shah said.

Speaking to the press and writing newspaper columns is prohibited under the annual contract that players have with the BCCI.