Who's Yuvraj?

From Darren Thompson, Australia
It was yet another scintillating knock from the 'Prince' of Punjab, Yuvraj Singh. Despite a back niggle and an eyesore of a belt, Yuvraj pummeled the Poms to pieces. There were shades of Durban in some of the dazzling stroke play on display and yet again Stuart Broad and England were on the wrong side of a Yuvraj assault. He is nothing short of a treat to watch in full flow.

From his memorable 84 on debut against Australia in Nairobi, Yuvraj has always set tongues wagging. The question has always remained; will the real Yuvraj Singh stand up and also be counted in the Test arena? For such a tremendously gifted player, Yuvraj goes through far too many slumps. He's been found wanting against top class spin and at times seems a few notches short of Test quality. India needs Yuvraj Singh to come good consistently in both, no, make that all three forms of the game.

There have been glimpses of his talent in Test cricket, but they have been all to brief. It must be noted that in seaming conditions against Pakistan he's notched up two centuries. The talent has never been in doubt, but the mindset always has. His last innings of substance, 169 against Pakistan seemed to be the making of Yuvraj Singh. The timing, shot selection, power and elegance seemed to be here to stay in the Test arena. However what happened next seemed to follow the perennial script, a dismal tour to Australia and Yuvraj was dropped.

Now with the 'Fab four' being disbanded, Yuvraj has a chance to permanently cement a spot in the Test team. Ganguly's former number 6 slot is red hot and up for grabs. If Yuvraj is able to get his mind in the right place and work on his technical deficiencies, Indian cricket will be all the better for it. With so much talent, exemplary fielding skills and the added X factor he brings, it will be a mighty shame if Yuvraj doesn't reach the lofty heights he is capable of.

We've all been entertained by him in ODI's and T20's, what a sight it would be to see him as a permanent fixture in the Test arena. Until such a time comes to pass the question will remain, "Will the real Yuvraj Singh stand up?"