Why not Yuvraj?
When Ganguly hung his boots in Nagpur, we knew that we are in safe hands of MSD - the skipper.But race for his place in test side is fierce. It seems that selectors would enjoy problem of plenty this time. Though with his experience and his performance in shorter version of game makes Yuvraj, the first choice. But after 8 years of cricket and 6000 runs - he still remains a pauper of test cricket. Though with Laxman, Dravid, Tendulkar and Ganguly around, to break into Indian middle order was always a mean task. But in 20 odd tests that Yuvi has played, he never posed any sort of challenge to any of these stalwarts.
Technicians attribute this ordinary run in longer version to chinks in his technique, but then are Laxman and Ganguly are are not exactly text book players. They were gifted, but then so is Yuvraj.
Then what is it that Yuvraj is still competing against Rainas and Rohits.
Hunger : -
Does he lack what fab four of Indian middle order always possessed in abundance - Hunger to perform. We have seen bad patches of these four as well, but in those lean periods - one could almost feel the efforts and determination to win over tough times. Does Yuvi lack that hunger.
Distractions :-
He is young, handsome and perhaps the most eligible bachelor. Girls go gaga over him, actresses travel half way around the world for his birthday, he puts ramp on fire and all companies want his face on their goods. Wait a minute, I know that Tendulkar got married early and Suarav and Laxman never had movie star looks(Thank god!!!), but there was Rahul - who enjoyed all this in late 90s. Remember when Cyrus pulled a "Bakra" on RD and Dravid Anna lecturing his female stalker to concentrate on studies. Wall was not built on ramp and commercials, it required concrete of concentration, steel of determination and ofcourse,countless hours in nets.
Cricket(itself):-
Am I blaming Yuvi for something he is not guilty of. Is he a victim and not a culprit.
Five years from now when Tendulkars,Dravids and Pontings would not be around - wont that be the end of purist game. Hasn't one day and 20-20 made cricker slab wham game. Are we not well past days of technique, touch, class and timing. Like Tennis cricket has also become game of powerful hitters.
And would these hitters ever notch up average of 45-50 in longer version?
Can they bat out a day to save a match?
So is Yuvi just a glimpse of what is to come?
Though two swashbuckling 100s against feeble English attack would get him place in playing 11 for the next test. But would Yuvraj finally become Prince of test side as well. It wont be easy as he has to succeed none other then a "Maharaj".
Technicians attribute this ordinary run in longer version to chinks in his technique, but then are Laxman and Ganguly are are not exactly text book players. They were gifted, but then so is Yuvraj.
Then what is it that Yuvraj is still competing against Rainas and Rohits.
Hunger : -
Does he lack what fab four of Indian middle order always possessed in abundance - Hunger to perform. We have seen bad patches of these four as well, but in those lean periods - one could almost feel the efforts and determination to win over tough times. Does Yuvi lack that hunger.
Distractions :-
He is young, handsome and perhaps the most eligible bachelor. Girls go gaga over him, actresses travel half way around the world for his birthday, he puts ramp on fire and all companies want his face on their goods. Wait a minute, I know that Tendulkar got married early and Suarav and Laxman never had movie star looks(Thank god!!!), but there was Rahul - who enjoyed all this in late 90s. Remember when Cyrus pulled a "Bakra" on RD and Dravid Anna lecturing his female stalker to concentrate on studies. Wall was not built on ramp and commercials, it required concrete of concentration, steel of determination and ofcourse,countless hours in nets.
Cricket(itself):-
Am I blaming Yuvi for something he is not guilty of. Is he a victim and not a culprit.
Five years from now when Tendulkars,Dravids and Pontings would not be around - wont that be the end of purist game. Hasn't one day and 20-20 made cricker slab wham game. Are we not well past days of technique, touch, class and timing. Like Tennis cricket has also become game of powerful hitters.
And would these hitters ever notch up average of 45-50 in longer version?
Can they bat out a day to save a match?
So is Yuvi just a glimpse of what is to come?
Though two swashbuckling 100s against feeble English attack would get him place in playing 11 for the next test. But would Yuvraj finally become Prince of test side as well. It wont be easy as he has to succeed none other then a "Maharaj".
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