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5 possible replacements for Yuvraj Singh for the 2019 ODI World Cup

Cricadium Staff
By Cricadium Staff
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#5 Ambati Rayudu


Many eyebrows will be raised after finding Rayudu’s name on the list but his reliability can’t be ignored. For Mumbai Indians in the IPL, he has been one big match-winner for a number of years. He can play according to the situation and can adjust his game accordingly.

He can go after the bowling from the outset and is an excellent player against the spinners. The 31-year-old has been unlucky not to find too many opportunities in the Indian side. Still, Rayudu has an excellent record in ODIs. In 34 matches, he has scored 1055 runs at an average of 50.23 which goes to show he possesses the mettle needed for the big stage.

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Yuvraj Singh, a stalwart of the game who has done wonders for Indian cricket for over 15 years. When it comes to standing up in big tournaments, there is no one who has done better than the Southpaw. The Under-19 World Cup, T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, you name it, he has won them all for the country. A player who fought cancer bravely and made a stunning comeback into the game, it's a hugely inspirational story for the ages. One of the best players to have ever graced the game for the nation has been the crowd favorite for a number of years. But there is absolutely no denying the fact that the prowess is diminishing with each passing year. The left-hander is no more the player he once used to be. The Yuvraj who smacked Stuart Broad for 6 sixes once, now is seen struggling on the cricket field. The best fielder in the side is now becoming a liability with his lackluster body language. His form with the bat has also suffered and the fluent Yuvraj is nowhere to be seen. For a cricket fan, it hurts badly to see a cricketing hero fighting for survival. With the next ODI World Cup under 2 years from now, it makes sense for him to decide on his future. At the moment, it seems unlikely that he will be in the thick of things for the next World Cup and hence it gives us the opportunity to look at his potential replacements.

Here are the 5 players who can take Yuvraj's place at number 4

#1 Ajinkya Rahane

The right-hander has been a prolific run-getter for India in Test cricket but somehow he hasn't been able to transform the same in 50-overs cricket. He has been assumed to be an opener in ODI cricket but gets an opportunity only in the absence of the regular openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. He did well in the Windies opening the innings but once Rohit comes back in the side, he will snatch the slot undoubtedly. If Rahane can mould his game to suit the needs of a middle-order batsman, he can be a useful No.4. His best innings in ODIs of 79 came batting at that position against South Africa in the 2015 ODI World Cup. If he can play that kind of innings regularly, he can be a useful prospect.

#2 Manish Pandey

Last year, when India toured Australia, Pandey played a superb knock of 104 off 81 balls in the final ODI in Sydney that helped the side chase down a stiff target of 331. It was his maiden ODI ton which gave hopes to many that India had found the prominent No.4 batsman. But injuries haven't worked in Pandey's favor. But he is now fit and raring to go and has been recently selected for India's A tour to South Africa. The right-hander can be a handy pick for the No.4 slot given his ability to build the innings as well as up the ante whenever required. He has been a regular feature for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL and has plenty of experience by his side.

#3 Dinesh Karthik

The wicket-keeper batsman has been extremely unlucky to be playing in the MS Dhoni era. For over a decade, the entry into the Indian squad across formats for keepers was close to impossible due to the presence of Dhoni. Karthik got chances mostly when Dhoni was rested for any series. But recently, his great form in the domestic cricket earned him a call-up in the ODI squad. He was a part of the Champions Trophy side but didn't get to play a single game. Karthik has heaps of experience from the IPL as well as domestic cricket. He can be gritty as well as explosive which are the required skills for the No.4 batsman.

#4 Rishabh Pant

The Indian fans are in the awe of the left-hander these days after his superlative show in the IPL 2017. He was picked in the side for the Windies tour and there has been a demand from every corner of the country to include him in the playing XI but somehow, he is seen warming the benches mostly. Pant was absolutely destructive in his approach in the recent IPL and many have started believing him as the successor of Dhoni behind the stumps. Whether he manages to live up to the expectations at the international arena or not, remains to be seen but he is certainly an exciting prospect for the country.

#5 Ambati Rayudu

Many eyebrows will be raised after finding Rayudu's name on the list but his reliability can't be ignored. For Mumbai Indians in the IPL, he has been one big match-winner for a number of years. He can play according to the situation and can adjust his game accordingly. He can go after the bowling from the outset and is an excellent player against the spinners. The 31-year-old has been unlucky not to find too many opportunities in the Indian side. Still, Rayudu has an excellent record in ODIs. In 34 matches, he has scored 1055 runs at an average of 50.23 which goes to show he possesses the mettle needed for the big stage.

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