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This article was first published 13 years ago

Why Yuvraj was dropped from the Test squad. Figure it out!

Last updated on: November 18, 2011 23:15 IST

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: Getty Images

Yuvraj Singh's Test comeback was again short lived, as the selectors dropped him from the team for the third and final Test against the West Indies, in Mumbai, beginning next week.

The experienced Punjab left-hander made way for Mumbai youngster Rohit Sharma, who himself has battled for consistency since making it to the international stage.

With the all-important tour of Australia coming up next month, the selectors have sent out a loud and clear message that Yuvraj does not fall into their scheme of things as far as Test cricket is concerned.

Rajneesh Gupta presents a statistical look on Yuvraj's showing in Tests since making his debut against New Zealand in 2003.

Born: 12 December 1981 (Chandigarh)

Home Team: Punjab

First Test: v New Zealand at Mohali in 2003-04 (made 20 & 5 at # 6)

Last Test: v West Indies at Kolkata in 2011-12 (made 25 at # 7)

Tests: 37, Runs: 1775, 100s: 3, 50s: 10, HS: 169, Avg: 34.80

Why Yuvraj was dropped from the Test squad. Figure it out!

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: Getty Images

A comparison of Yuvraj's Test performance against each country is interesting. All his three centuries have come against arch-rivals Pakistan, but none resulted in victories, with two losses for India and a draw.

His record against Pakistan is the best, as he averages 63.55, with a tally of 572 runs in seven Tests.

But his record against Australia is poor, with just 64 runs in four Tests, and that against minnows Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also below par.

Yuvraj's performance against each country 

 

Mts

Inns

NO

Runs

Hs

Avg

100

50

0

v Australia

4

8

1

64

27

9.14

0

0

2

v Bangladesh

2

2

0

37

25

18.50

0

0

0

v England

5

9

1

346

86

43.25

0

3

0

v New Zealand

4

7

2

150

54

30.00

0

1

1

v Pakistan

7

9

0

572

169

63.55

3

1

0

v South Africa

1

1

0

32

32

32.00

0

0

0

v Sri Lanka

6

9

1

367

77

45.87

0

5

2

v West Indies

6

10

1

170

39

18.88

0

0

1

v Zimbabwe

2

2

0

37

25

18.50

0

0

0

TOTAL

37

57

6

1775

169

34.80

3

10

6

Why Yuvraj was dropped from the Test squad. Figure it out!

Image: Yuvraj SIngh
Photographs: Getty Images

Yuvraj in the subcontinent & outside

Yuvraj is regarded as one of the best middle-order batsmen when it comes to One-Day Internationals, but it is exactly the opposite in Tests.

Also, he has failed to make an impact with the bat overseas in conditions helpful for bowlers, scoring 353 runs in 12 overseas Tests.

It is this worrying statistic that goes against him when it comes to his selection to the Test squad for foreign tours.

 

Mts

Inns

NO

Runs

Hs

Avg

100

50

0

in the subcontinent

25

37

4

1422

169

43.09

3

8

2

outside the subcontinent

12

20

2

353

62

19.61

0

2

4

Why Yuvraj was dropped from the Test squad. Figure it out!

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: Getty Images

Yuvraj at each batting position

The Punjab left-hander has tried his luck at a few batting positions, including opening, but hasn't been able to make an impact.

 

Inns

NO

Runs

Hs

Avg

100

50

0

at # 1

2

1

15

8

15.00

0

0

0

at # 5

11

0

227

75

20.63

0

1

2

at # 6

39

4

1359

169

38.82

3

8

3

at # 7

5

1

174

77

43.50

0

1

1

Why Yuvraj was dropped from the Test squad. Figure it out!

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: Getty Images

Yuvraj Tests played & missed (since debut)

When Sourav Ganguly quit cricket in 2008 everybody thought the slot vacated by the left-hander would be taken over by Yuvraj, but, sadly, he failed to grab his opportunities.

It is not that Yuvraj has not got enough opportunities to showcase his abilities, as is evident in the table below, but he has always struggled to score consistently.

Year

Played

Missed

2003

1

3

2004

5

7

2005

4

4

2006

9

3

2007

2

8

2008

4

11

2009

6

0

2010

3

11

2011

3

7

TOTAL

37

54

Why Yuvraj was dropped from the Test squad. Figure it out!

Image: Yuvraj Singh
Photographs: Reuters

Yuvraj's performance in comeback Tests

Luck has also not been on Yuvraj's side, with quite a few injuries and fitness concerns hampering his comeback, which now totals 10.

Last year, he was ruled out of a Test in Sri Lanka because of illness and his replacement, Suresh Raina, scored a century on debut. Then, earlier this year, he injured his finger during a Test against England in Nottingham and was forced to pull out of the series.

While all the other Indian batsmen enjoyed a run feast against the inexperienced West Indies attack, Yuvraj struggled with scores of 23, 18 and 25 in the three innings he batted first two of the ongoing series. He looked quite uncomfortable against the pace duo of Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach in Kolkata, and, no wonder, the selectors were forced to look elsewhere.

With so many youngsters knocking at the doors of Test cricket with a consistent showing in domestic cricket, the question is: how and when can Yuvraj stage another comeback?

Tests missed

Comeback Test

4

59

v Pakistan

Multan

2003-04

9

12

v Zimbabwe

Bulawayo

2005

1

0 & 77

v Sri Lanka

Delhi

2005-06

1

15

v England

Mohali

2005-06

10

169 & 2

v Pakistan

Bangalore

2007-08

4

32

v South Africa

Kanpur

2007-08

7

14 & 85

v England

Chennai

2008-09

2

52 & 5

v Sri Lanka

Galle

2010

14

62 & 8

v England

Notingham

2011

2

23 & 18

v West Indies

Delhi

2011-12