Yuvraj Singh set for Test return; eye on injuries

Yuvraj Singh seems set to make a remarkable Test comeback when the selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil picks the 15-member squad to face England in the first Test match starting November 15. HT reports.

Yuvraj Singh seems set to make a remarkable Test comeback when the selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil picks the 15-member squad to face England in the first Test match starting November 15 in Ahmedabad.

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Yuvraj, who beat cancer earlier this year, has an edge over Suresh Raina, as well as Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary, in the race for the No. 6 slot. His double century in the Duleep Trophy and a half-century and five wickets in the warm-up tie against England helped his cause.

However, the selectors face a tricky situation after pace spearhead Zaheer Khan was injured during a Ranji tie on Saturday. Whether or not to pick a bowler with a history of breakdowns will be a tough call.

The poor form of openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag — both of whom have not scored a Test century for around two years — will also be debated, though they may ultimately be picked. Sehwag suffered a finger injury on Saturday.

Batsman Ajinkya Rahane is expected to be retained as stand-in opener. Others who may get lucky include bowlers Ashok Dinda, Pankaj Singh, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.