Yuvraj back for the second ODI gives India a boost
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
India have been given a major boost ahead of the second one-dayer against Australia with the news that Yuvraj Singh will be fit to feature in Nagpur.
The left-handed batsman has recently been sidelined with a finger injury that he picked up during the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.
His return is a timely one for the hosts, who suffered a four-run defeat in the series opener in Vadodara on Sunday.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admits Yuvraj has been sorely missed, particularly as his left-arm off-spin provides another bowling option.
Backbone
"Yuvraj has been the backbone of our batting line-up, especially because he bats at number four and at a time when the ball is changed and the second powerplay comes into the picture," he said.
"Someone with the capabilities of Yuvraj at that stage is a huge help and it's not just his batting, but his bowling as well.
"With him around you have the luxury of another part-time bowler so even if the others have a poor day, you have one more option."
Either Virat Kohli or Ravindra Jadeja could be dropped in order to allow Yuvraj to play in the first ODI to be staged at the new stadium built on the outskirts of the city.
India may also opt to make changes to their bowling attack, with one option being the selection an extra frontline slow bowler in leg spinner Amit Mishra.
There have also been calls for Dhoni to move himself up in the order but the captain himself has quickly dismissed the idea, insisting he's happy at five.
"We have Viru (Virender Sehwag) and Sachin (Tendulkar) opening the innings, Gautam (Ghambir) at number three and Yuvraj at number four, so the next slot is only number five," he added.
"I do bat at different slots, but the batting positions of these four players are pretty much fixed."
Australia, meanwhile, have selection issues of their own as they look to double their advantage in the seven-match series.
Brett Lee has joined James Hopes on the sidelines, while Mitchell Johnson remains doubtful due to an ankle injury.
It had earlier been reported that the left-arm paceman would not feature but coach Tim Nielsen insists he could now be fit to play on Wednesday.
Hopeful
"Mitchell woke up a lot better this morning than we thought he would be when we drafted him in the media release yesterday morning," he said.
"So it is really pleasing to see him get up today and shine. We will see how he pulls up after the training session today but all the indications are that he might well be available tomorrow."
The tourists will be hoping Johnson is available with Lee definitely out. Nielsen, however, feels any injuries will only offer other players the chance to gain experience, particularly when it comes to bowling at the death.
"If Mitchell and Brett cannot play then we are losing about 300 matches in ODis in terms of their experience," he admitted.
"And we are talking about six or seven (games) between Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger.
"Having said that, it must be said that the only way the young players learn or get better is from getting exposure.
"You can practice all the yorkers in the nets but it is so difficult to bowl to someone like Sachin (Tendulkar) or Harbhajan (Singh) when they are on a roll and the crowd are going."
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