Experienced players, Yuvraj and Harbhajan included in 1st Test

06 November, 2012

Yuvraj and Harbhajan Singh have been included in the first Test match against England. Suresh Raina has had to face the axe to make space for Yuvraj, who has looked composed and determined in the domestic matches that he has played recently.

THE INDIAN Cricket team for the first Test match against England starting November 15 has been announced, with Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh making a comeback to the team. Other noticeable inclusion in the team is Murli Vijay, whereas Suresh Raina was the unlucky player to miss out on the list. Ishant Shrama has also made a comeback into the national side.

With players such as Dravid, Laxman missing from the game, Yuvraj along with Sachin Tendulkar would play an important role for India in the middle order, which includes promising youngsters such as Pujara and Kohli. They have been successful at the international level, which augurs well for the future. It was Yuvraj's performance for India A against England few weeks back, which made him an automatic choice for the middle order over Suresh Raina, who has failed to impress with the bat in the longer format of the game. He scored a half century and also claimed five wickets.

But, Harbhajan Singh is not straightaway going to walk into the Indian side with his bowling credentials, as spinners such as Ashwin and Ojha have been carrying the Indian mantle for some time now. Looking at the current situation, it seems that the player is the third spinner of the current line up. Unless, India decides to go with three spinners, Harbhajan may only be a bench warmer. Ashwin's performance in recent matches has made him India's premier spinner, the title which was held by Bhajji for many years. He needs to fight back to get into the starting 11.

With Murli Vijay's inclusion, the selectors have sent a warning to the Indian opening pair of Sehwag and Gambhir, who have looked below par in the matches that they have played during the year. Muri Vijay has been an impressive player in the domestic circuit, hence he has got a fair call from the Indian selectors.

This is the best possible squad that the selectors could have come up with. Though, one may ask about the extra spinner that has been included in the squad, but all in all, the squad looks strong to start the series on a high by winning the first Test match at Ahmedabad.