Will Yuvraj Singh or Ravindra Jadeja return to Team India to strengthen it’s lower middle order in the remaining ODIs against South Africa? The Indian selectors will announce the team for remaining ODIs and Tests on Monday.
India, trailing 1-2 in the 5-match ODI series, has been hurt by the inability of the lower-middle order to finish off games. Even Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has admitted that India are still looking for batsmen to fit in the middle order.
“We are looking for batsmen to play at Numbers 5, 6 and 7. Till they play there, we won’t know who is a good bet over there. We are looking to give chances as well so it’s a tricky one,” Dhoni remarked.
The two names doing the rounds for a comeback into the Indian team are Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja.
Jadeja is the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy so far with 24 wickets at a staggering average of 8.25. With the bat, he has also scored 147 runs at an average of 73.5. With R Ashwin sidelined by a side strain and with Axar not contributing as expected, the selectors might be tempted to bring back Jadeja.
Yuvraj is also in the reckoning after his 187 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy match in Mohali. He has also found a supporter in former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar who has said that Yuvraj needs to be looked at.
“Yuvraj is in form. As a bowler, he can bowl a few overs and give the depth in the batting. There is no questioning his class. He may concede a few more runs then say an Axar Patel but will score more than Axar and he is top class in the field,” Gavaskar told a news channel.
Gavaskar said that Yuvraj’s age must not be a factor and that his experience will be the key if India are to make a comeback in the series against South Africa.
“The series is important. India need to look for horses for courses. Pick experience now and build the team later in the season. The priority must be to win the series against South Africa. Look at Yuvraj’s pedigree and look at the way he was won matches for India in the past,” Gavaskar said.