Poll: Does Yuvraj Singh deserve a place in India’s limited over team

Indian cricket team’s recent inconsistent performances with the bat in the ODIs and T20Is have once again opened up the debate about the team’s composition. Yuvraj Singh, scoring runs consistently in domestic cricket these days, is once again back in the reckoning ahead of India’s limited-overs series in Australia. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament, Yuvraj has hit the limelight with a series of solid performances.

In Punjab’s match Group A match against Services, the 34-year-old made a splendid 98 from 83 balls to guide his team towards a win in the big chase. In the previous match against Rajasthan, his 78 not out of 59 deliveries helped Punjab chase down the 270-run target with relative ease. In the opener against Mumbai, he missed out on a ton by seven runs while, in the following two matches, he contributed with both the bat and ball.

Having played 5 matches he has registered scores of 93, 36, 36, 78* and 98 even as some of the existing players of the India team have failed to perform in the premier domestic limited-overs competition. Striking the ball as crisply as he has ever done, he has hit the highest number of sixes in the competition (16).

With India touring Australia for a five-match ODI and three-match T20I series next month, Indian selectors can have a serious look at Yuvi’s form and consider the classy southpaw as an option for that all-important middle over batting positions.

In the recently concluded limited overs series against South Africa at home, MS Dhoni’s team was found wanting in the said position. The T20Is and the ODIs highlighted several flaws which prompted the captain to accept that the team doesn’t appear to be settled and finds itself in a difficult position. MS also mentioned that a few different things will have to be tried else it may be difficult to get the desired results on a consistent basis. India had also lost the ODI series away to Bangladesh that preceded the series at home against the Proteas.

Yuvraj has been a proven match-winner for the country. He still has the hunger to do well and is putting in the hard yards. India’s biggest problem in recent years has been the death overs. While MS Dhoni continues to be a vital batsman for the team, his big hitting ability has taken a serious beating in recent times. This puts the entire onus on Suresh Raina and one cannot expect him to deliver on every single occasion. He clearly seems short of support and Yuvi’s presence may just galvanize the team giving it greater depth.

Someone who is used to dramatic comebacks, the dashing left-hander has enough fire left in his belly to make a grand statement if given an opportunity to do so. His bowling, along with spectacular fielding, has always been an important aspect of his game and will give India more options to work with. The Indian squad for the tour of Australia will be picked in Delhi on Saturday and we’d like to know from fans if the elegant batsman deserves a chance or not.

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