Picture Courtesy : newindianexpress.com
Is Yuvraj Singh’s International career now virtually over ? This question has now propped up instantly after the flamboyant left- hander, hero of India’s Two World Cups in 2007 T20 and 2011 was left out of the ODI team for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka. The series comprising five ODIs and a T20 International. The first ODI begins at Dambulla on August 20.
According news reports, Yuvraj was the only player axed from the ODI team which lost in the ICC Champions Trophy final to Pakistan in June, even as the selectors made seven changes from the team that toured West Indies following the Champions Trophy.
Ind vs SL: Team for ODI series and T20 announced, Yuvraj Singh axed https://t.co/qrf3YgsFfF pic.twitter.com/YI1QajN2zr
— DNA (@dna) August 13, 2017
The MSK Prasad-led selection committee has decided to rest all the leading bowlers -pacers Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav and spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.The selectors also decided to give a maiden ODI call-up to Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur.
Pacer Thakur has been performing consistently well in the past few seasons for Mumbai, and took nine wickets in four games @14.55 for India A in the tri-series in SA -a performance which was watched by selector and former India opener Devang Gandhi.
The 35-year-old Yuvraj, had managed just 105 runs in the Champions Trophy in England,which included a half-century against arch- rivals Pakistan. With no Suresh Raina and now Yuvraj, it is appears clear that the duo may not be in the scheme of things for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England. But he was far from his usual self, On the field his energy , once known for was missing and hardly bowled. The body language showed that he was just going through the motions.
Now, It remains to be seen how Yuvraj battles his way back into Team India after his latest axe. It will certainly not be easy one when there are youngsters knocking the doors and staking their claims in the side.
If I remember correctly Yuvraj Singh was man of the match in Ind vs Pak Game in Champions Trophy. And you drop him. Kya hai uss Rahane mein?
— Mayanti Langer (@Langer_Mayanti) August 13, 2017
The selectors have preferred the in form Manish Pandey, who’s making a comeback to the side after he went out due to an injury, over Yuvraj in the middle order. Leading the India A team to the tri-series title in South Africa recently, Pandey had slammed three half-centuries (307 runs in five games@307.00).
It may be recalled that few days back former India skipper and batting legend Rahul Dravid had pointed out that it time selectors make up their what they plan to do with Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni going into 2019 World Cup. The selectors it seems have listened to the voice of the batting legend who is also the coach of the under-19 and India A team in deciding Yuvraj’s future.
