Kolkata: Veteran limited overs’ specialist Yuvraj Singh has been left out of the Indian squad against Sri Lanka for the limited overs’ series that begins on the 20th of August.
This wasn’t a tough decision to make as the two-time World Cup winner has been terribly out of touch ever since that 50 he scored against Pakistan in India’s first match of the tournament.
A BCCI official also revealed that the 35-year left-hander isn’t in BCCI’s scheme of things for the 2019 World Cup.
As quoted by PTI, he said, “His batting has lost sting. He rarely bowls and his fielding has gone down a few notches. If we have to prepare a team for 2019 World Cup, we had to take a call now. In case of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, we still don’t have replacement but Yuvraj’s place has multiple contenders.”
Yuvraj has represented India in 304 ODI’s where he has more than 8000 runs to his name. He has also played 58 T20I’s and 40 Test matches. This decision to leave him out of the team could very well mean that it is the end of the road for the stylish batting all-rounder.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s selection also clarifies the fact that the wicketkeeper batsman and former skipper is in the contention to play another World Cup.
Suresh Raina, who was speculated to return to the team after a long gap has been kept on standby.
Also the rumours regarding Virat Kohli being rested for the series has been squashed as the prolific right-hander has been retained as the captain of the side.
On the other hand, Manish Pandey has received a well-deserved call up to the national team after his stellar performances in the recently concluded tri-series involving hosts South Africa A and Afghanistan A where he led India to the title. He scored 307 runs in the series and remained unbeaten on four occasions.
He was originally a part of the Champions Trophy squad but had to miss out due to an injury. He also couldn’t play a role in India’s limited overs’ series in the Caribbean but this time he is fit and raring to go.
Dinesh Karthik, initially selected as Pandey’s replacement did a good job in the Caribbean but has been kept out of the limited overs’ squad to take on Sri Lanka.
KL Rahul made a fascinating comeback to the Indian team after his injury and has scored two fifties already in the ongoing test series. He has been named as a part of the squad as young Rishabh Pant misses out.
On the bowling front, frontline spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin has been rested along with pacers Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami.
Jasprit would be back in the Indian colours after a long rest and he would be joined by Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the pace bowling department.
Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav are the spinners who would be seen in action against Sri Lanka.
India’s squad vs Sri Lanka (ODI’s and T20I’s)-
Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur.