India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Saturday non-committal on dashing batsman Yuvraj Singh playing tomorrow's first ODI against Australia or not in Kochi but gave indications that youngster Saurabh Tiwary could make his international debut.
Asked if Yuvraj, who returned to the ODI squad after being dropped from the Test series, would play tomorrow, Dhoni replied cryptically, "You will have to wait and watch".
Insisted further on Yuvraj, Dhoni said, "Every series is important irrespective of whether you are in the side or an experienced player or youngster coming back to the game. The more the competition, it is good for the side. Be it Yuvraj or Suresh Raina or me or the youngsters it's the same," he said.
Dhoni was forthcoming though when asked if Murali Vijay will be fielded as one of the openers. "Yes, Murali Vijay will be there," he said.
He said Tiwary was suited for batting at number six or seven as he always wanted to go for big hits as was seen in the IPL and Champions League Twenty20 where he got exposure against some best bowlers in the world.
"We want to blood him because he has been part of the team for a few series earlier. He has got exposure against the best bowlers in the IPL and CL T20. I think it is an ideal opportunity for us to give him a place in the final XI and let him play the kind of cricket he plays. He is ideally suited for number six or seven slot wherein he can look to go after the bowlers," said Dhoni about Tiwary who also hails from Jharkhand.
{{/usCountry}}"We want to blood him because he has been part of the team for a few series earlier. He has got exposure against the best bowlers in the IPL and CL T20. I think it is an ideal opportunity for us to give him a place in the final XI and let him play the kind of cricket he plays. He is ideally suited for number six or seven slot wherein he can look to go after the bowlers," said Dhoni about Tiwary who also hails from Jharkhand.
{{/usCountry}}Dhoni said Tiwary has the right attitude to go a long way in international cricket.
"He wants to go out in the middle and play the kind of cricket he knows. He backs himself and he is hard working and spends his time at net sessions. He is good character to have. With proper guidance and with little more exposure to international cricket, he can be really successful.
"It is good to have some one from Jharkhand. It is slightly tougher for a player to come from a small state and represent your country. It is not a restriction any more because most of cricket played in India is covered by media in a beautiful manner and selectors will notice. It is good to have him in the side. He is an aggressive character and quite young," he added.