Friday, November 8, 2024
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Chennai eagerly awaits Yuvraj

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Chennai: Two days after his much-awaited comeback match was washed out due to persistent rain, the focus is back on Yuvraj Singh as he looks to resume his innings in international cricket with the second Twenty20 game between India and New Zealand here on Tuesday.

The first T20 in Visakhapatnam was called off without a ball being bowled, leaving the thousands who had thronged the stadium to watch Yuvraj’s much-anticipated return from a successful battle against a rare germ cell cancer, disappointed as rain had the final say.

Besides Yuvraj, the match will also mark Harbhajan Singh’s return to the squad after a long lay-off. The off-spinner had gone out of favour after being blanked 0-4 in the disastrous England tour in July-August last year.

However, with his immediate challenger Ravichandran Ashwin in great form, having taken wickets by the bagful in recent times, chances of Harbhajan being included in the playing XI does not look too bright.

It will be interesting to see if the think-tank goes for an all-offspin attack.

The brief two-match series assumes significance as it is being looked upon as the start of India’s countdown for the World Twenty20 that will get underway in Sri Lanka on September 18.

And with the first match being washed out, the Men in Blue will look to utilise Tuesday’s encounter to the fullest, though inclement weather may play spoilsport again.

As far as the strength of the Indian team is concerned, struggling middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma will have to prove his worth soon enough or he may end up losing his spot to the talented Manoj Tiwary, who has been waiting in the wings.

As far as bowling is concerned, Ashwin will be the man to look out for as he flummoxed the Kiwis by picking up 18 wickets in the Test series. The local boy would be keen to continue the dream run in front of his home crowd.

Also returing to side, after being on the sidelines for more than three and a half years, will be pacer Laxmipathy Balaji.

The unassuming bowler paved the way for his comeback with a tidy performance for IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, and he will certainly look to make an impression if he gets a look-in alongside Zaheer Khan. (PTI)

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