Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly wants Ajinkya Rahane to find a place in the Indian team.
After Yuvraj Singh was ruled out of the World T20, India's team selection for the West Indies game became the centre of all debates. While there is a general perception that Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in favour of bringing in all-rounder Pawan Negi in place of Yuvraj, technical director Ravi Shastri wants Ajinkya Rahane to find a place in the team. However, Manish Pandey, who replaced Yuvraj in the 15-man squad, can also get a golden opportunity to represent the nation.
Full coverage of the ICC World T20 including preview, commentary and scorecard
When asked who should be Yuvraj's replacement, two of India's biggest cricketing icons Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly agreed in unison that Mumbaikar Rahane deserves to get a go ahead.
"I think Rahane should replace Yuvraj. It is his home ground and he has scored lots of runs here. He knows what to expect here and that's an advantage for India," Tendulkar told Aaj Tak.
Dhoni may opt for Negi as he is a like for like replacement for Yuvraj, having the ability to play a part with both bat and ball, but Sachin felt that Yuvraj wouldn't have had too much to do on a Wankhede pitch which is expected to help the seamers. "This pitch will help seamers. The ball will come on to the bat nicely. There is no question about his class as a batsman but I don't think Yuvraj would have played a role with the ball," Tendulkar said.
Ganguly, hoped that Dhoni would go in with Rahane as according to him, if Negi is brought in, then the batting would get weakened. "It's (Yuvraj injury) a huge blow for India. India will miss his bowling. There is a difference in opinion between Negi and Rahane. It also depends on the pitch," Ganguly said.
"I don't think Negi should play in place of Yuvraj. It will make the batting weak. Rahane has the experience and the ability to play well in the big matches. He should be batted at No. 4. He may not be a hard-hitting T20 player but will do the job. If Dhoni feels the pitch will turn, he should drop Hardik Pandya and play Negi," he added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Sachin, Sourav and Rahane")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}