Yuvraj Singh Deserved One Last Chance for India: Sunil Gavaskar

Yuvraj Singh seemed to be a popular choice to make the Indian team for the last two One Day Internationals against South Africa, but only just. India's 2011 World Cup-winning hero was not even considered by the national selectors who met in New Delhi on Monday afternoon. (Yuvraj Singh Wants to Enjoy His Cricket in Hope For India Recall)

Yuvraj has been in sparkling form, scoring a big century against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy last week. Even Sunil Gavaskar felt the Punjab all-rounder, pushing 34, was still a good bet for Team India. "He deserved one last fling at glory," Gavaskar told NDTV on Monday. (Yuvraj Singh Slams 187 for Punjab in Ranji Trophy)

Yuvraj last played a ODI in December 2013 against South Africa in Centurion. His last Twenty20 international was against Sri Lanka in Dhaka in April, 2014. Gavaskar told NDTV on Monday that when the selectors recalled Harbhajan Singh for the series against Bangladesh earlier this year, Yuvraj always had hope in spite of being in the Thirties. (Indian Squads for Last Two ODIS and First Two Tests Announced)

On Sunday, after India lost the third ODI in Rajkot to hand South Africa a 2-1 lead, Gavaskar backed Yuvraj to make the cut.

"The series is important. India need to look for horses for courses. Pick experience now and build the team later in the season. The priority must be to win the series against South Africa. Look at Yuvraj's pedigree and look at the way he was won matches for India in the past," Gavaskar had said.

Obviously, the selection panel under Sandeep Patil, Gavaskar's former teammate, had totally different ideas. They made just one change in the team - pacer Sreenath Aravind replacing Umesh Yadav - and retaining out-of-form players like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. Gavaskar called Aravind's inclusion as "cosmetic".

Gavaskar said the continuous tinkering with India's batting order was not doing any good. Skipper MS Dhoni, who promoted himself up the batting order in the Rajkot ODI, has lamented how the team is missing a big hitter and a finisher. Gavaskar feels the batting line-up needs to be reviewed.

"This team does not have the kind of experience and thrust that Yuvraj provides at No. 5 and 6. His experience can still count. I understand where the selectors are coming from but I feel a little sorry for Yuvraj," said Gavaskar.

The fourth and fifth ODIs against South Africa will be played in Chennai (October 22) and Mumbai (October 25).