Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out with injury.
By Dileep Thekkethil
The Indian cricket team suffered a major blow a day before the World T20 semi-final match against West Indies, as the inform all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out due to an ankle injury that he suffered during the match versus Australia.
According to the team management, the young Indian all-rounder Manish Pandey will replace Yuvraj in the upcoming matches. But it is still unknown whether Pandey will get a chance to be part of the playing eleven.
Pandey has a good IPL record and has played two International T20 matches for India. He made his T20 debut against Zimbabwe in Harare in July last year and has also played in four one-day internationals.
Pandey became an overnight hero after he struck a hundred that helped India beat Australia in the last of a five-match ODI series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, earlier this year.
While speaking at a press conference, Ravi Shastri, the team director of India, said that Yuvraj is going to be a big miss for the team in the semi-final match with West Indies.
“Yuvraj will be missed. He bowled well against Australia and also scored some runs,” said Shastri.
Yuvraj had taken the wicket of Steve Smith, the Australian captain, during the crucial knockout match on Sunday. He also scored 20 runs despite injuring his leg, giving good company to Kohli who took India to a six-wicket victory.
There are reports that the team has not yet decided who they will field against West Indies on Thursday. Some reports say that Shastri wants Ajinkya Rahane to replace Yuvraj whereas skipper MS Dhoni is reportedly keen on all-rounder Pawan Negi.