After an impressive hundred in the Ranji trophy and India's lack of firepower in the middle order, Yuvraj Singh stood a chance of coming back into the team for the remaining two ODIs as the selectors sat down to pick the team on Monday.
However, Yuvraj, who last played for India against Sri Lanka in a T20 match, did not find a place in the team. Former Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar, feels sorry for the Indian batsman, who feels Singh should be given one last opportunity.
"My personal view is that pick the best combination which has youth and experience. We don't have anyone at number five and Yuvraj could have provided (experience). You can't call Suresh Raina inexperienced who has been around for 10 years but Yuvraj makes a big difference and I feel sorry for him. I don't think he has that opportunity for one last fling at glory," Gavaskar told NDTV.
Even in the third ODI against South Africa, which India lost, the men in blue were in desperate need of a player, who could play those big shots.
With Ajinkya Rahane coming in to bat at No. 6 in Rajkot, the team lacked a big hitter, though they have the services of Gurkeerat Singh, who can score quick runs in the lower middle order; he has not been picked in the starting eleven.
India are currently 1-2 down in the ODI series and have to win the remaining two matches in the series in Chennai and Mumbai to clinch the series. The earlier matches have been relatively close, but winning the ODI series will give the team enormous confidence ahead of the Test series, which starts on 5 November at Mohali.
"Priority should be to win the series. This South African attack with red ball will be a different cup of tea. If India win ODI series, it might affect the confidence of South Africa little bit. Yes, have a look at the results. Matches were close, margins were not overwhelming. If they win one game and that they will have confidence of winning two also," said Gavaskar.
