Do not get too carried away by Yuvraj's form (followed by a silly law which deserves to be changed)

Certainly it was a tremendous 169 which catapulted India to a position at Bangalore where the worst thing that can happen to them is a draw.

Certainly it was a knock played under extreme duress; with India reeling at 61 for 4 and Pakistan threatening to finish them well under 150 or 200.

Certainly, he could be the most talented batsman in recent times never to have got his due.

But do not get carried away by Yuvraj’s display today and try and force his inclusion at the cost of Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly or Laxman. At least not till the Australian tour is over.

Yuvraj has been a tremendous performer on the subcontinent pitches, and that too just against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Before the innings of 169, two of his hundreds and three fifties had come only against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He was averaging 57 from six Tests against Pakistan with two hundreds and a fifty, and 51 against Sri Lanka with two fifties.

Against other opponents, Yuvraj has never been able to average more than 25 runs per innings, and that has been disappointing even considering the fact that he never had a secure place in the test team.

Against Australia, Yuvraj has just 47 runs from two tests, against England 64 from two, against New Zealand 25 from one match, against the West Indies 104 runs from four matches and against Zimbabwe, 37 from two.

He is one of the few top class batsmen, who has played 15 tests and over 100 ODIs, with ODI average at 37 being more than the test average (33).

So do not get carried away. Praise his knock but do remember his record against other opposition, outside the subcontinent, and the two chances he got yesterday.

This talented batsman does deserve a place, but only if Dravid consents to open the innings on the Australian tour. He should certainly not be in at the cost of any of the big four in test playing eleven in the Australian tour. That will put so much pressure on him.


A Silly Law which deserves to be changed

If the Indian batsmen have not killed the match for Pakistan, a silly law today put the expiry stamp on Pakistan chances.

Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar was in genuine discomfort yesterday as he missed most of the final two sessions to go for an MRI Scan.

Now, he will have to wait for nearly three and a half hours to bowl today (Equivalent to the time he was away from the field) as per the law which does not distinguish between genuine injury and a faked one to take rest.

High time to make some changes in the law. Or at least the high time to recognize the spirit of the law. You can’t always go by the printed lines alone, and kill the prospects of some enthralling cricket.