More experienced he might be, but Yuvraj Singh could still be forced to make way for an in-form Suresh Raina when India decide their playing XI for the opening cricket Test against England starting July 21 at the Lord’s.
Suresh Raina, also a left-hander but five years younger to Yuvraj, is all set to be rewarded for his consistency and will play on the hallowed turf of Lord’ — an honour that has eluded Yuvraj in his nine-year-old Test career.
Lord’s was the venue of India’s greatest triumph outside World Cup when it chased down a target of 326 set by England in the 2002 Natwest Trophy and in which Yuvraj had played a critical knock of 69 runs.
This innings came within a fortnight of India sinking England at Lord’s by six wickets but even then, Yuvraj had shone brightly with an unbeaten 64.
Yuvraj was India’s hero in India’s triumphant run in recent World Cup with 362 runs at an average of 90.50, to go with his 15 wickets at 25.13 average.
Raina, meanwhile, has worked hard to usurp the middle-order batting slot including the revised impression that he was a sitting duck against short-pitched deliveries.
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