DLF League

Wednesday 19, November 2008

Yuvraj has been in explosive form.

Yuvraj Singh has had his claims for a Test spot boosted, ahead of the third ODI between India and England in Kanpur.

Following outstanding centuries in the first two matches of the current series, the chairman of India’s national selectors, Kris Srikkanth, has backed Yuvraj to fill the Test batting spot created by the recent retirement of Sourav Ganguly.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Srikkanth said: “I see Yuvi as a potential match-winner in Tests too. Over the years, he has already shown he's a match-winner in ODIs. There are others in the running, but Yuvi is definitely a front-runner.”

Yuvraj has played just 23 times for his country in the Test arena, averaging a shade under 33, but with some solid domestic form and, now, two spectacular one-day performances under his belt, the 26-year-old has every right to feel that he must be close to returning to the fold in December, seven months after his last match in Indian white.

Commenting on Yuvraj’s recent displays, Srikkanth said, “He has been brilliant. Rajkot had a batting track, but the Indore wicket was on the slower side and Yuvi had to first hold the innings together. He proved that he can be a match-winner from any situation.”