Want Yuvraj Singh to regain confidence: MS Dhoni

Sometimes, in cricket, the uncontrollable plays a significant role in deciding the fate of a match. Something similar happened in Vizag when the dew played the 12^th man for West Indies. As the wet ball slipped and skidded all around, West Indies batsmen showed patience and fight to chase down India’s 288 to win the second ODI and level the series 1-1 with a game to spare. (Also Read: Report: India vs West Indies - 2nd ODI, Visakhapatnam, 2013)

Indian skipper, MS Dhoni, who has always considered the dew as a deciding factor in a day-night match, said it gave the team chasing an undue advantage. (Also Read: Stats Highlights: India vs West Indies - 1st ODI, Visakhapatnam, 2013)

“I think it was a very bad toss to lose,” Dhoni said. “We knew there will be some dew at this time of the year but we didn’t know it would start so early. There was plenty of dew right from the first over of the second innings.

“Once the ball went in the outfield, it became so wet that there was no swing for the fast bowlers and nothing for the spinners as well. Later on when they changed the ball, there was glimpse of the kind of turn there was on offer in the wicket, until the new ball too got wet.

“It is a bit unfair when you plan day-night games during this time of the year but it’s a part and parcel of the game and not much can be done about it,” said the Indian captain.

With the selection of India’s squad for the South Africa tour due, conversation invariably veered towards the non-performing star, Yuvraj Singh. Since his comeback to international cricket, the left-handed all-rounder averages a paltry 17 in 16-odd ODIs. Dhoni, however backed him and suggested that Yuvraj has a long rope available.

“We want Yuvi to do well because he can really dominate the bowlers when needed. Yes, he has struggled in the last few games but if you see in the Australia series, he often got out in the first five-six balls that he faced. When you’re under pressure to score runs, you need 10-15 deliveries to settle down which he hasn’t been able to get past. You have to be considerate about it. He is someone who does well when he is confident. After he gets a few runs, you’ll see a different Yuvraj Singh,” Dhoni said.

When asked if there was any particular reason why Yuvraj hasn’t been bowling since the ODI series against Australia, Dhoni denied.

“He will bowl when we need him. Raina is bowling ahead of Yuvraj because I felt he would be a better option since West Indies have quite a few left-handers. We can attack with Ashwin and Raina is the only other off-spinner we have in the side. It’s important who is bowling to whom and how he is bowling. If we need a second left-arm spinner after Jadeja, we have Yuvraj Singh.”

During the series against Australia, Dhoni had suggested that the team is planning to groom Suresh Raina for the No. 4 slot with the 2015 World Cup in mind. However, one ordinary series later, Raina has been shunted back to the No. 5 spot, bringing Yuvraj back to the two-down position. Dhoni said it has been done to facilitate Yuvraj in his attempt to regain form with the bat.

“Yuvi is under bit of pressure and so we decided to give him a series at No. 4, which is his slot as he has batted there for most of his career. We thought until he eases down a bit and feels comfortable again, let’s give him his familiar spot. Also, Raina has done really well at No. 5 and the reason behind promoting him at 4 against Australia was to see if we have a backup option. We don’t have that option,” the skipper said.