2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Three Likely Replacements For Yuvraj Singh
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:51 PM
With curiosity still going over the fitness of Yuvraj Singh, the assumptions of him not being fit for the league stage of Champions Trophy have already started brewing in the camp as he neither participated in the first practice game nor the second one. With each passing day, the news is getting stronger and there might be a case when it turns out to be true and Yuvraj might be ruled out of the tournament.
Though the team management still has many options as they had already announced backup players in case of any injury to any of the players. Still, we need to look at few of options from which the selectors can choose from to replace him. Here are three players who can replace Yuvraj Singh in Champions Trophy squad –
Rishabh Pant – The best contender to replace Yuvraj Singh in the side is the Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. The former India Under 19 vice-captain performed quite well in the domestic circuit by scoring 972 runs in eight Ranji games, which included almost a run a ball triple century against Maharashtra and a 48 ball hundred against Jharkhand. Riding on the brilliant show, he was called in the Indian team for the three-match T20I series against England.
A continuity of good run in Indian Premier League saw him being named in the five-members back up players for Champions Trophy as well. If in case Yuvi is not fit for the tournament, then Rishabh Pant might be called in the team, which will give him a chance to show his mettle in List A format as well.
Suresh Raina – The second name on the list is Suresh Raina, who was once a regular member of the Indian team. His last appearance in ODI’s came in the year 2015. Though he was part of the squad for series against New Zealand series for first three games but was not given a chance. Later, he went onto miss major part of domestic cricket and played only three Ranji games. BCCI took a note of it and dropped Raina from central contract lost announced earlier this year.
In short, nothing has gone Raina’s way but his experience forced BCCI to keep him as a backup player. Surely, if in the case of Indian team need a replacement for Yuvraj, then Raina’s experience will prove to be costly for youngster Rishabh Pant.
Krunal Pandya – An all-rounder in place of an all-rounder, Krunal can be one of the best replacements for Yuvraj keeping in mind his all-round abilities. He can contribute equally in both the departments of the game. Whether talking of scoring runs at any pace to slowing down the flow of runs with the ball, Krunal showed his prowess in IPL.
Many experts have already called Krunal’s non-inclusion as a wrong step and there might be a case when their wish might get fulfilled if the elder brother of Hardik flies to England to join his brother in the dressing room, in place of Yuvraj Singh.