The Indian team off late have been performing extremely well across all formats. Despite the naysayers saying that they have only been facing the likes of Sri Lanka and West Indies, who aren’t really the strongest squads in the world, India have gone about their business as usual. The top order have all been firing and proving their place in the squad.
However, one question that has not really been plaguing our team is, “Where are the left-handed batsmen?” The Indian team have had a history of having some of the best left-handed batsmen to have represented us over the years. However, we are at a situation where none of the recognized batsmen in the team are left-handers.
Missing the southpaw:
The Indian team at the moment is surely missing the Southpaw in the squad. Left-handers have the ability to raise the aesthetic value of the game. There is something about the leftie’s game that cannot be witnessed by the right-handers. India were served by two massive left-handed players off late.
The likes of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina have played many match-winning innings between them and separately. Their absence has caused a sort of void that is inexplicable. Of course, the Indian team is doing well but there is just something missing when we aren’t able to see a single left-handed batsmen in the team.
There is one way in which the two players can find their way back into the squad. They will need to prove their worth and fight for a place as left-handed players in the team. The two have undoubtedly been massive for India over the past decade or so and their services could be of use should they be fit enough for the World Cup in 2019.
Form and fitness:
One of the most telling aspects about both these players is that they are not in the squad because of fitness and form issues. Raina is playing for the India Blue team at the moment and is getting some practice. However, Yuvraj hasn’t been featuring for a while. The two players are immensely popular amongst the masses and a lot of fans have been upset that they are not able to find a spot in the team.
However, the reality of the situation is that both of them lack both the fitness and the form to represent the country at the highest level. There is no doubt about their past achievements but the fitness standards set by Virat Kohli mean that they will have to raise their game for the big occasion.
Yuvraj especially has been plagued with fitness issues and it is natural considering his age at the moment. If India are looking to win the World Cup in two years’ time, either one of these two will need to find their place back in the squad and restore the balance back.
By Rohit Nair
