Best man forever?

Yuvraj Singh has been the most prolific scorer in ODIs but that success has not guaranteed him a place in the Test squad. For all his talent, he has remained in the shadows VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly

MUMBAI: They say making the transition from ODI to Tests can be a difficult task. Ask Yuvraj Singh that!

The left-handed batsman was the highest run getter for India in the 5-match ODI series, with 272 runs at an average of 68.00.

Yet, he could be warming the bench in the Test series that gets underway at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla on November 22.

One might wonder what more need a man do to get that place in the Indian Test XI. Former India coach and batsman Anshuman Gaekwad says, “No matter what Yuvraj may have done in the ODIs, I still see him sitting out in Test matches.

The selectors have chosen senior players like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman in the side. So now they can’t make them (seniors) sit out and watch the game. It’s not fair.”

Gaikwad goes on to add, “The selectors should make up their mind about youth and experience. If they want young talent to come through, then the seniors should not be included and the youngsters should be groomed.”

However, Gaikwad is also of the view that while in ODIs Yuvraj may be indispensable, such is not the case in Tests. In ODIs he is a useful bowler.

He can even merit a place in the squad because of his stunning fielding abilities, by which he saves over and above 30 runs on a given day. In Tests, it’s a different case altogether.

“Yuvraj’s bowling is not going to be a factor in Tests. As far as his batting is concerned, he has not done well in the longer version in whatever matches he has played.

One does not remember a memorable Test innings from his bat Besides Ganguly and Laxman are more experienced than him. And if they have been selected in the squad, they deserve to be in the playing eleven also.”

Of another view is Nari Contractor, a former left-handed batsman, who tilts the scales heavily in favour of Yuvraj Singh.

“Yuvraj Singh is just too good a batsman to be sitting out and watching. All this talk about him not being a Test batsman is nonsense.

On current form, he is the best  batsman in the squad after Sachin Tendulkar. Yuvraj should definitely be in the playing eleven.

“The question is then who should sit out, VVS Laxman or Sourav Ganguly,” Nari says. “Yuvraj merits a place more than Laxman. I would not give Laxman a second thought if I were asked to pick between the two.

Laxman is no match for Yuvraj in the fielding department. Plus he gives you a bowling option also. The only comparison then really between the two is batting. I think Yuvraj is just as good a batsman as VVS Laxman.

And on current form, maybe better.”

The non-inclusion of Yuvraj in the eleven might also come as a relief to the Pakistan camp, for whom the Punjab batsman has been tormentor-in-chief.

It also means that it would put an end, at least for a while, to the flourishing and productive partnership Yuvraj has shared with ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Asif Iqbal, former Pakistan captain and batsman, says, “The two were exceptional together. It was a pleasure watching them play. It’s a pity that one might not see them play together in Tests.

But then, it’s a very tough one for selectors, keeping Yuvraj out.

“Both Ganguly and Laxman are great players and have immense experience. Besides, I think they seem to be set in their thinking that Yuvraj is a great ODI player but finds it difficult to make that transition into Tests,” Asif adds.

The former Pakistan batsman also believes that it’s not a question of trying Yuvraj out in Tests.

“Yuvraj has played enough Tests (19). So there is really no need to try him. A series against Pakistan always brings added pressure.

I think then, the selectors would rather be cautious and go with the tried and tested, which I think might be the sensible thing to do.

“My suggestion would be to go with the tried horses to begin with, the idea being that India is looking at this for the long term.

So to start with, go with the old horses and see how it goes. Then, if that doesn’t work out, give Yuvraj a chance. There is a tough tour of Australia coming up.”