http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364’s future in Test cricket – Opinion
India is an extremely fertile land when it comes to producing batsmen of the highest quality. Over the last couple of decades, many Indians have ruled to batting charts in all formats of the game, with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Tendulkar-c2556,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sourav-Chandidas-Ganguly-c90746 breaking many records.
One such talent is the 31-year-old cricketer from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833, Yuvraj Singh, who was tipped for greatness at the start of his international career in 2000. The left-handed middle-order batsman is naturally an aggressive player, who has all
the shots in his armoury.
The stylish player has been an integral part of India’s limited-over squad for almost 12 years now, delivering a number of match-winning performances. Yuvraj has proved over the years that he is a big-match player and has always made
it count when it mattered most for the Men in Blue.
Apart from playing an influential role in his country’s triumph in the ICC World T20 2007 in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Cricket World Cup 2011, helping India to be crowned as the
world champions at home.
Same cannot be said about the hard-hitting batsman in Test cricket as the seasoned campaigner is yet to establish himself in the longer format of the game, although he has already played 40 Tests for his country.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kapil-Dev-c70234, expressed recently that Yuvraj is one of the most naturally gifted players in the world but it is unfortunate not to see him as a permanent member of the country’s Test team.
“I want him to play well in Tests. He still has to establish himself in the longest format,” said the former world cup winning skipper.
‘Yuvi’ made his Test debut in 2003 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. The sporting analysts usually criticise Yuvraj’s flashy batting technique
but his maiden hundred came under trying circumstances.
Later on, the middle-order batsman scored two more Test centuries, both against Pakistan, who remain a fancied opposition by the aggressive player.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dilip-Balwant-Vengsarkar-c54093, the former cricketer, who has also been the chief selector of the Indian team, also admits that the left-handed batsman has done well against Pakistan in the 5-day format.
“He has struck two outstanding tons in Pakistan,” he said. “When I was the chief selector, I included him in the Test team and he hit 169 in Bangalore against Pakistan in 2007, which I think is one of the finest innings on Indian soil
but injuries hurt his career.”
However, Yuvraj’s overall Test record is far from satisfactory, having scored 1900 runs at an average of 33.92 runs per innings.
After suffering from cancer, the middle-order batsman scored a double century upon his return to first-class cricket, forcing the selectors to give him a chance against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749. The left-hander smashed an impressive half-century in
the Ahmedabad Test but failed to make an impression at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 or Kolkata, eventually losing his place in the squad.
There is no doubt about Yuvraj’s class in the limited-over formats of the game but in order to be remembered as a great player in the history books, the all-rounder must deliver the goods in Test cricket, which truly examines the mental
and physical ability of a player. It remains to be seen whether the left-hander is able to revive his Test career in future or not.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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