Finally, flannels

Mohammad Kaif8217;s heroics under the Lahore lights weren8217;t enough to earn him a place in Test squad. Going by head rather than heart,...

Mohammad Kaif8217;s heroics under the Lahore lights weren8217;t enough to earn him a place in Test squad. Going by head rather than heart, the national selectors opted for Yuvraj Singh instead, the Chandigarh man making it on the basis of his better all-round abilities.

The team, announced here today, sees Sadgoppan Ramesh and Deep Dasgupta dropped from the party that went Down Under while Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra have been omitted due to injuries. Other than Yuvraj8217;s fellow newcomer Ramesh Powar, the 15-member squad also features the fit-again Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble.

However, the name that has and will continue to spark debate is Yuvraj. Ironically, what clinched it for the left-hander 8212; according to one selector 8212; was his two centuries in the Duleep Trophy final at Mohali early this month. Ironic, because Yuvraj was reportedly not keen to play the match at all. Indeed, the two days before the match began saw a flurry of statements and speculation over Yuvraj8217;s whereabouts and a possible injury.

For the immensely talented but moody player, this could be the break he was looking for. He8217;s long had to live with the tag of 8216;one-day specialist8217;; now is his chance to be recognised as a complete cricketer.

Is he better than Kaif? Their ODI record is even; Yuvraj averages a shade over 30, Kaif a shade less. Both possess the temperament and are the top two fielders in the side. Where they differ is in style of play and attitude. Kaif, the son of an Allahabad railway ticket collector, is the strong and silent type; Yuvraj, who comes from cricketing stock, is more naturally gifted 8212; and also more flashy.

In teams with strong batting line-ups the No.6 batsman 8212; which Yuvraj will be if he plays 8212; generally hammers the last nail in the coffin. Adam Gilchrist, for example, is called in to score quick runs when a declaration is on the cards. Yuvraj fits that role perfectly.

Besides, Kaif has played four Tests without crossing 50 while Yuvraj has played just the one. The chances of him actually adding to that tally in Pakistan are remote; only a bad streak or injury to a teammate will see him in the first XI. For now, he has taken the first step: a place in the XIV.

TEAM

Story continues below this ad

Virender Sehwag, Aakash Chopra, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly c, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, L Balaji, Anil Kumble, Murali Kartik and Ramesh Powar.