Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja in selection radar for remainder of South Africa series

Yuvraj Singh’s 187 against Gujarat in Ranji Tropy might earn him India call-up

Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja’s fine form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and their impactful performances have given selectors options, ahead of the the last two ODIs and first two Tests against South Africa.

India's 18-run defeat in the third ODI against South Africa in Rajkot on Sunday, has thrown up plenty of questions regarding the batting line-up. The inability of the lower-middle order to finish off games has become a recurrent problem for India. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is equally perplexed and he admitted during the presentation ceremony that India are still not able to find batsmen who can fit in the middle order and close games in a chase.

"We are looking for batsmen to play at Numbers 5, 6 and 7. Till they play there, we won't know who is a good bet over there. We are looking to give chances as well so it's a tricky one," Dhoni told NDTV.

The selectors need to primarily address this issue as they sit down and select the team for the last two one-day internationals and the first two Tests against South Africa. In a bid to solve the lack of stability in the lower-middle order, the selectors might look for fresh talent or fall back on experience.

In the ongoing Freedom Series, Suresh Raina has been in woeful form, having scored just three runs with two consecutive ducks. Ajinkya Rahane continues to be a floater while the rotation of Dhoni and Virat Kohli in the batting order is also not working. Axar Patel has still not contributed anything significant with the bat, making the tail look incredibly weak.

The two names doing the rounds for a comeback into the Indian team are Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja. With R Ashwin sidelined with a strain and young Axar’s contribution not fulfilling the required standards, the selectors might be tempted to bring back Jadeja, who has been consistently taking wickets in the Ranji Trophy.

Jadeja is the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy so far with 24 wickets at a staggering average of 8.25. With the bat, he has also scored 147 runs at an average of 73.5. Although they have come against weak teams like Tripura and Jharkhand, the 26-year old’s sublime form might tempt Dhoni to fall back on his experience in the lower-middle order.

Yuvraj is the other player that the selectors could be tempted to bring back. The dashing batsman last played for India during the 2014 World Twenty20 final against Sri Lanka in Dhaka. He could be in the reckoning due to his knock of 187 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy match in Mohali.

The knock included 14 fours and seven sixes and he was scoring at a strike-rate of over 80. The 33-year old has also been bowling regularly for Punjab and has managed to get three wickets so far. However, it is this all-round ability that might prove to be useful for India in the next two ODIs.

There is no questioning Yuvraj’s class: Sunil Gavaskar

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has said that Yuvraj needs to be in the team. "Yuvraj is in form. As a bowler, he can bowl a few overs and give the depth in the batting. There is no questioning his class. He may concede a few more runs than say an Axar Patel but will score more than Axar and he is top class in the field," Gavaskar said.

The legendary batsman also stated that Yuvraj's age must not be a factor and that his experience will be the key if India are to make a comeback in the series against South Africa, which they are currently trailing 1-2.

"The series is important. India need to look for horses for courses. Pick experience now and build the team later in the season. The priority must be to win the series against South Africa. Look at Yuvraj's pedigree and look at the way he was won matches for India in the past," Gavaskar pointed out.