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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Should Yuvraj be dropped for the third ODI against West Indies at Kanpur?
This article was first published 10 years ago

Should Yuvraj be dropped for the third ODI against West Indies at Kanpur?

November 26, 2013 09:16 IST

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: BCCI

If there’s one Indian player who has underperformed in the ongoing series against the West Indies it is Yuvraj Singh.

Darren Sammy’s late assault enabled the visitors win by two wickets, with three balls to spare, in Visakhapatnam on Sunday and level the three-match ODI series 1-1.

He joined Lendl Simmons when the West Indies had lost five wickets for 187 runs and together they produced a match-winning 82-run partnership which helped them register their first victory win of the tour.

But the story could have been different had the Indians not dropped several catches, particularly Simmons, who was put down by Yuvraj on 43. He went on to score 62.

Should Yuvraj be dropped for Kanpur ODI?

Should Yuvraj be dropped for the third ODI against the Windies at Kanpur?

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: BCCI

Indeed, Yuvraj is having a bad run in the series which has seen him score just 44 runs from the two ODIs (16 in the first and 28 in the second) in the series.

In fact, his form has been poor in recent times.

Since scoring 77 in the T20 match against Australia in October, the left-hander has failed to contribute anything substantial.

He scored 7 and took 2 for 34 in the next ODI; did not get to bat in the third but returned wicketless for 35 runs; was out for a duck and had figures of 0-20 in the fourth; had figures of 0-12 in the only over he bowled in the fifth, and scored 0 and 12 in the sixth and seventh match respectively.

He seems to have carried the poor form into the series against the Caribbeans.

Should Yuvraj be dropped for Kanpur ODI?

Should Yuvraj be dropped for the third ODI against the Windies at Kanpur?

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: BCCI

It is not just that the left-hander is struggling only with the bat, or the ball. He has been equally poor on the field, rather unexpected coming from someone who is considered one of the better fielders in the side.

After Sunday’s defeat, though India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni backed the struggling all-rounder, saying,"‘Leave aside batting and bowling, anyone can drop catches. Let's not be critical about it."

Don’t you feel Yuvraj has had enough chances and needs to be rested? Should he be axed for Wednesday's third and final ODI against the West Indies?

Should Ambati Rayudu, who has been named in the squad for the South Africa tour, be given a chance?

Should Yuvraj be dropped for Kanpur ODI?