Describing Phil Hughes’s tragic death as a ‘very sad’ incident but a ‘part of cricketing life’, India discard Virender Sehwag insisted bouncers should not be banned as it would be ‘unfair’ on bowlers. Sehwag said the batsmen always have the option of ducking under short-pitched deliveries and if the bouncers are banned, it would take fun out of the game.

Hughes, who would have been 26 at the weekend, died last Thursday from an injury caused by a ball striking him on the back of the head during a domestic match, triggering a huge outpouring of grief in Australia and around the world.

The Australian batsman’s death from head injuries put players’ safety in spotlight, reopening the debate on how batsmen should be protected from the hard ball, travelling at around 90 miles per hour. The idea of banning bouncers altogether was floated, with the New Zealand bowlers not bowling short-pitched stuff even once in their Test against Pakistan as a mark of respect to Hughes.

Sehwag, however, felt otherwise. “It was very sad that Hughes died in such a way. But it’s part of cricket and injuries are part of any sport,” Sehwag said at a promotional event to mark the countdown of next year’s World Cup. “You have an option to duck bouncers as a batsman. If you cut out the bouncers, then there is no fun left in the game and it’s already a batsman’s game. I have been hit on the helmet by quite a few bouncers. But it’s a weapon for the bowlers so they should not be robbed of it.”

The 36-year-old, who last played for India in March 2013, was optimistic about his chances to make the cut for the quadrennial showpiece event.

Sehwag was an integral part of India’s triumphant World Cup campaign in 2011 but his chances to secure a spot look dim this time.

“But I am still hopeful that my name would figure in the 30 probables for the World Cup. Every player who represents the country dreams of playing in the World Cup and I also still dream of playing in it,” he said.

The probables for the World Cup, which begins on February 15, are expected to be announced later this month and the flamboyant opener said he is hoping to use the domestic platform to return to the side.

“I am playing first class cricket and looking to score as many runs as I can. Last year, I scored around 250 runs and hopefully this year I can score more. Right now, no one is noticing me because I am not scoring. I hope that I can score runs and get back into the side,” he said.

Sehwag described Australia as the best place to play cricket, adding that India and South Africa, apart from co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are his favourites to make the semifinals.

“Australia is the best place to play cricket. You get good wickets with bounce, fast wickets, and the ball comes nicely on to the bat. You will enjoy batting in Australia and you will also enjoy bowling in Australia. I think all the players who will go to the World Cup, they have already played in Australia and they will be playing in the triangular series before the World Cup so they will get used to the conditions,” he said.