Why does Yuvraj get so many chances in test match cricket

[zen]

Ravindra Jadeja if he improves both as a batsman and a bowler might pose some threat to Yuvi. Another threat could be Irfan Pathan who could improve his bowling. I think Yuvraj will survive as we don't play on spin pitches much these days.

The all-rounder point is a good one I believe that if a team has a decent all-rounder then play him in as it adds depth to both batting and bowling .... With a WK all-rounder like Dhoni, Ind can afford to drop one of the 6 specialist batsmen and play Dhoni at 6 and thus creating a space for the all-rounder By playing someone like UV at #6, Ind is also over looking the all-rounder option

[Ram]

The all-rounder point is a good one I believe that if a team has a decent all-rounder then play him in as it adds depth to both batting and bowling .... With a WK all-rounder like Dhoni, Ind can afford to drop one of the 6 specialist batsmen and play Dhoni at 6 and thus creating a space for the all-rounder By playing someone like UV at #6, Ind is also over looking the all-rounder option

We dont need all-rounders in test cricket to win matches. Arguably the greatest test of all time, the Steve Waugh led Australians, had 6 batsmen, one outstanding keeper, 3 pacers and one spinner. Bottom line, test matches are won by specialist players delivering on their specialist roles, not bits and pieces players delivering on more than one front. If you find a batsmen capable of performing the roles of a no.6 batsmen better than Yuvraj, then lets replace him. But, to drop him merely to accommodate an all-rounder is silly thinking.

[vvvslaxman]

What an irony. There was a time where India was running out of openers and converting all middle order batsmen into openers. Now there are plenty of openers. Gambhir, Sehwag, Vijay, Karthik.

[The Outsider]

Yeah, let's defend someone who freaking averages in the lower 30s after 30 odd tests, despite being given the backing to the extent that someone like Laxman and Sehwag were kept out of the team for this P.orkie to realize his supposed potential, from a behemoth batting country! He would make it to the Bangladesh batting line up, I'll grant that.

[zen]

We dont need all-rounders in test cricket to win matches. Arguably the greatest test of all time, the Steve Waugh led Australians, had 6 batsmen, one outstanding keeper, 3 pacers and one spinner. Bottom line, test matches are won by specialist players delivering on their specialist roles, not bits and pieces players delivering on more than one front. If you find a batsmen capable of performing the roles of a no.6 batsmen better than Yuvraj, then lets replace him. But, to drop him merely to accommodate an all-rounder is silly thinking.

The team composition should be depend up on how good your options are. There is no way this Indian bowling attack compares with that of the Australian team that you mentioned. When you have bowlers of extra-ordinary quality in your line up like the Aus team and the WI team, you don't need extra bowlers Inversely, when you have an all-rounder of exceptional quality who can get in to the side as a batsman or a bowler, you can afford to play him either has one of the 4 bowlers or as one of the 6 batsmen depending up what part the team needs to strengthen In India's case, I though it is understood that it needs to play a bowling all-rounder (of decent quality) because it has a comparatively weak bowling and can leverage on its strong batting to try to strengthen its weakness. And because the guy batting at #6 is not that far ahead of the all-rounder replacing him! I think you are making wrong assumptions to make your posts like: 1. People perceive that UV has a bad technique and thus overlook is good contributions 2. There isn't anyone (decent) to replace him atm 3. Doing a good job (in your opinion) automatically guarantees a place irrespective of other options that you look in to 4. Because Aus played with 4 bowlers, Ind have to do the same (while ignoring the difference in quality) 5. Your perception of UV and how he is doing is more accurate than others you don't agree with And then you have in in you to call playing an all-rounder as silly (without understanding the depth of whats being said)!

[Ram]

Yeah' date=' let's defend someone who freaking averages in the lower 30s after 30 odd tests, despite being given the backing to the extent that someone like Laxman and Sehwag were kept out of the team for this P.orkie to realize his supposed potential, from a behemoth batting country! He would make it to the Bangladesh batting line up, I'll grant that.[/quote'] Yeah, lets keep taking in context-less numbers., even though there's evidence to suggest that, in the last 2 years, Yuvraj has more than managed to do what is required of him at no.6. f someone manages to play only 32 test over a 7 year span, of course his overall average is going to be the mid-30s. That is precisely the reason why he has been dropped (justifiably) so many times. The discussion isnt about whether Yuvraj's overall career numbers look pleasing to the eye. Its a about whether he deserves a place in this current test team, based on his performances in the recent past. I'd love to hear your opinion on that.

[Clarke]

bcozzzz he is said to be very AGGRESSIVE .. in theory i.e.

[The Outsider]

The discussion isnt about whether Yuvraj's overall career numbers look pleasing to the eye. Its a about whether he deserves a place in this current test team, based on his performances in the recent past. I'd love to hear your opinion on that.

I've already made my opinion known on numerous occasions - he deserves his shot for the moment and there is no chance of him getting dropped before the South Africa series next year in South Africa since we are playing everything in the subcontinent where he is a good batsman. And mark my words, if he is not dropped before the South Africa series next year, he is going to cost India a chance to win there by averaging in his customary 20s or is it 10s these days. The new ball is always going to do a lot in South Africa which makes the presence of a strong batsman at the pivotal number 5/6 slot crucial.

[Ram]

The team composition should be depend up on how good your options are. There is no way this Indian bowling attack compares with that of the Australian team that you mentioned. When you have bowlers of extra-ordinary quality in your line up like the Aus team and the WI team, you don't need extra bowlers Inversely, when you have an all-rounder of exceptional quality who can get in to the side as a batsman or a bowler, you can afford to play him either has one of the 4 bowlers or as one of the 6 batsmen depending up what part the team needs to strengthen In India's case, I though it is understood that it needs to play a bowling all-rounder (of decent quality) because it has a comparatively weak bowling and can leverage on its strong batting to try to strengthen its weakness. And because the guy batting at #6 is not that far ahead of the all-rounder replacing him! And then you have in in you to call playing an all-rounder as silly (without understanding the depth of whats being said)

I called it 'silly' not because I reject the concept of all-rounder in test matches totally, but because I know the all-rounder 'options' we have are EXTREMELY limited. Who is the all-rounder we're talking about now? Jadeja? Irfan? or Nayar? In my opinion, none of them are good enough as 'all-rounders' to kick a specialist batsmen/bowler out of the team.

1. People perceive that UV has a bad technique and thus overlook is good contributions -

I stand by that. What else can explain the doubts, despite all of his vital contributions in the last two years that I had documented in the last two years. 2. There isn't anyone (decent) to replace him atm

Once again, I'd love to hear names. So far, there havent been too many worthwhile suggestions.

3. Doing a good job (in your opinion) automatically guarantees a place irrespective of other options that you look in to

The whole statements is loaded. Need a little bit more clarity before responding.

4. Because Aus played with 4 bowlers, Ind have to do the same (while ignoring the difference in quality)

Never said that, you have misunderstood my post. I said you do not need an all-rounder to have a world-class test team.

5. Your perception of UV and how he is doing is more accurate than others you don't agree with

If you notice, I dont make blind statements of support. Often times, If I am going to root for someone, I make sure I know what I am talking about. I have tried my best to show Yuvraj totally deserves a place in this test side as a no.6, at the moment. A lot many other disagree, without making substantiating arguments backing it. I dont see any reason why I should just accept what they say.

[thevortex]

No offence meant to anybody. But see, statistics can be used to catapult somebody like Samaraweera to the World XI of a calendar year! How much do we want to trust such a tool?! Yuvraj, quite simply does not deserve a Test match spot. He has twin weaknesses that a middle order batsman cannot afford to have. He is shaky against spin and shaky against pace. Quite simply he is at his best when he is attacking. And that cannot happen on a consistent basis in Test matches. A middle order batsman has to know how to bide his time and put up a shell as well. It is through Dhoni's support that he is where he is right now. And I am not a fan of that. By any stretch of imagination (or for that matter statistics), that middle order spot should have gone to Badrinath. Unfortunately he does not have the confidence of the captain - for reasons best known only to Dhoni himself. And that matters. Matters a lot. ________ Live Sex

[The Outsider]

So what expectations can us Yuseless haters have from him next year in South Africa? Will he average in the 40s-50s? Will he help India win a test match outside the subcontinent? That's the minimum we can expect from someone with 10 years of international experience and 30 odd tests who is supposed to be at the peak of his batting prowess?

[zen]

I will keep it simple: It is not a bad idea to replace UV with an upcoming batsman (who can do an equally good job and importantly learn from the likes of Dravid and Tendulkar by playing along with them to improve his skills further) or a decent all-rounder, who can add depth to both Ind's bowling and batting because UV is not that far ahead of those who replace him .... Moreover, it's not even a bad idea to play a 5th specialist bowlers on flat pitches esp when you have a WK all-rounder like Dhoni, who can do a good job at #6 In short: #6 an upcoming batsman with decent technique. Someone who can improve his batting and more importantly learn from the likes of Dravid and Tendulkar by playing with them or #6 Dhoni #7 a bowling all-rounder, who can lend depth to both batting and bowling or #6 Dhoni and 5 specialist bowlers appears to be better option at the moment than playing UV at #6

[The Dark Horse]

This is what happens when you label someone as a replacement for Ganguly based on 2 ODI hundreds.

[Ram]

So what expectations can us Yuseless haters have from him next year in South Africa? Will he average in the 40s-50s? Will he help India win a test match outside the subcontinent? That's the minimum we can expect from someone with 10 years of international experience and 30 odd tests who is supposed to be at the peak of his batting prowess?

If that is a question addressed to me, my answer for the highlighted part would be an ABSOLUTE 'Yes'. I never pledged my unconditional support to Yuvraj. All I have been saying is that, based on his performance in test matches in the last two years, he definitely deserves a place in the test team.

[thevortex]

So what expectations can us Yuseless haters have from him next year in South Africa? Will he average in the 40s-50s? Will he help India win a test match outside the subcontinent? That's the minimum we can expect from someone with 10 years of international experience and 30 odd tests who is supposed to be at the peak of his batting prowess?

Lets put it this way. How many here believe that he can perform the feat you suggested? That should be revealing. :) ________ ZOLOFT LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS

[asterix]

If that is a question addressed to me' date=' my answer for the highlighted part would be an ABSOLUTE 'Yes'. I never pledged my unconditional support to Yuvraj. All I have been saying is that, based on his performance in test matches in the last two years, he definitely deserves a place in the test team.[/quote'] Hi deservng place in the team and his approach and attitude towards his cricket presently are the main issues.. If he has performed earlier, he will keep on getting chances. But that doesn't gives him the right to attain this absolute callous approach towards cricket and his fitness.. The way he played last match, it can't be said that he had a 'bad day' in the office..He never looked to be 'working in the office'. It was as if he was thinking of 'holidays' all the time..Casual approach everywhere.. He may keep his position in the team for many years to come but he should know that he is not justifying his postion by having this pathetic callous approach towards his batting, fielding & fitness..

[zen]

Below are the stats that shows how those batting at #6 have done since 1 Jan 2008 till today outside of their respective homes

         Player                Span  	         Mat  	Inns  	NO  	Runs 	HS  	Ave  	BF  	SR  	100  	50  	0  	4s  	6s  	
AB de Villiers (SA) 	        2008-2008 	9 	12 	2 	703 	217* 	70.30 	1362 	51.61 	2 	1 	0 	77 	2 	
TM Dilshan (SL) 	                2008-2009 	6 	10 	0 	622 	162 	62.20 	718 	86.62 	3 	1 	1 	77 	5 	
MJ North (Aus) 	                2009-2009 	7 	12 	1 	527 	125* 	47.90 	1097 	48.04 	3 	1 	2 	64 	1 	
PD Collingwood (Eng) 	        2008-2010 	7 	9 	1 	391 	113 	48.87 	936 	41.77 	1 	2 	0 	54 	2 	
VVS Laxman (India) 	        2008-2010 	7 	9 	1 	368 	76 	46.00 	686 	53.64 	0 	4 	0 	39 	0 	
Shoaib Malik (Pak) 	        2009-2010 	6 	11 	1 	347 	134 	34.70 	690 	50.28 	1 	1 	1 	44 	4 	
BP Nash (WI) 	                2008-2009 	5 	9 	0 	283 	81 	31.44 	695 	40.71 	0 	3 	0 	42 	1 	
IR Bell (Eng) 	                2008-2010 	5 	6 	0 	258 	140 	43.00 	555 	46.48 	1 	0 	0 	29 	1 	
JP Duminy (SA) 	                2008-2009 	3 	5 	1 	246 	166 	61.50 	614 	40.06 	1 	1 	0 	26 	1 	
MJ Prior (Eng) 	                2009-2009 	1 	2 	1 	192 	131* 	192.00 	247 	77.73 	1 	1 	0 	20 	0 	
DR Flynn (NZ) 	                2008-2008 	6 	9 	4 	184 	39* 	36.80 	504 	36.50 	0 	0 	0 	26 	1 	
SR Watson (Aus) 	        2008-2008 	4 	7 	0 	170 	78 	24.28 	382 	44.50 	0 	1 	0 	24 	1 	
DJ Bravo (WI) 	                2008-2009 	4 	6 	0 	166 	104 	27.66 	292 	56.84 	1 	0 	1 	20 	1 	
Shakib Al Hasan (Ban) 	        2008-2009 	3 	5 	1 	157 	96* 	39.25 	183 	85.79 	0 	1 	1 	21 	1 	
A Flintoff (Eng) 	                2008-2009 	4 	5 	0 	151 	62 	30.20 	411 	36.73 	0 	1 	0 	14 	1 	
AD Mathews (SL) 	        2009-2009 	3 	5 	0 	149 	99 	29.80 	213 	69.95 	0 	1 	0 	21 	2 	
Yuvraj Singh (India) 	        2008-2010 	5 	7 	1 	149 	54* 	24.83 	229 	65.06 	0 	1 	1 	24 	2 	

^ That says something! .... All-rounders like Flintoff, Bravo, Matthews, Watson and Sakid have done better with the bat than a specialist bat like UV! The top 5 run getter are averaging 45+

[cowboysfan]

Yuvi will play vs south africa in the 2 tests.It will be the litmus test for him,if he fails then i beielve he will be dropped because there are too many young players who are waiting in the wings and too many old stars to replace.

[The Outsider]

If that is a question addressed to me' date=' my answer for the highlighted part would be an ABSOLUTE 'Yes'. I never pledged my unconditional support to Yuvraj. All I have been saying is that, based on his performance in test matches in the last two years, he definitely deserves a place in the test team.[/quote'] Alright... so you have become the first Yuseless fan to at least come out with a baseline of performance beyond potential. We'll touch base after the series in South Africa to see how many matches he won there or at the very minimum average in the 40s-50s.

[Laaloo]

Alright... so you have become the first Yuseless fan to at least come out with a baseline of performance beyond potential. We'll touch base after the series in South Africa to see how many matches he won there or at the very minimum average in the 40s-50s.

When are we playing in SAF?