Yuvraj is Wright choice for No. 6 spot

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Yuvraj is Wright choice for No. 6 spot

Yuvraj Singh has received his former coach John Wright’s backing for the number-six spot ahead of the Indian team’s selection for the England Test series.

By Himanshu Shekhar
“I would be biased on that answer. If there was a choice between Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, I would go for Yuvraj,” Wright told espnstar.com in an exclusive interview.
John Wright, who is in India as an ambassador of the Southern Institute of Technology in New Zealand, was candid enough in accepting that both have got their share of opportunities and by this time, the issue should have been settled.
“Raina has had his opportunities and so has Yuvraj. However, Yuvraj, for me, is the first choice, provided he is fit. Fitness is something that should be definitely taken into account,” the former India coach remarked.
The 58-year-old may have left the India job way back in 2005, but that has not diminished his interest in Indian cricket.
“Yuvraj has shown some terrific form in the warm-up game against England. Both with the bat and ball, his contribution has been immense. He deserves a chance,” Wright clarified without mincing words.
The left-handed batsman also hit a double century for the North Zone in a Duleep Trophy game after making his international return during the recently-concluded ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka.
The Indian selectors, under the newly-appointed panel headed by former India cricketer and national team coach, Sandeep Patil, will pick the squad for the first Test match against England on Monday.
“It’s a new selection panel and unlike in the past, things have become quite transparent. Rodger Binny, Saba Karim, Vikram Rathore and Sandeep Patil are former cricketers and understand the game well. We can expect a good team,” Wright answered.
Along with the then captain Sourav Ganguly, Wright is widely credited for initiating India’s cricketing reforms. Under his tenure as coach, India made it to the finals of the 2003 World Cup and also defeated world-conquering Australia in a historic Test match at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
“Those memories are still fresh.  Sachin, Sourav, Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag, Srinath were established names then. Harbhajan and Yuvraj were showing true qualities of fighters in the making. The talent in India is enormous and it is the passion which drives this country,” Wright said rather reflectively.
The New Zealander also held that VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid had left a huge gap in the middle-order.
“It would be very very tough to bridge that gap. Laxman and Dravid were great because their discipline to little details was immense. As a coach, you never had to tell them what they should do. As professional cricketers, they are role models,” he said.
“By discipline, I mean all little details like importance of exercising, importance of routine and etc,” Wright further added.
Wright also announced scholarships for 25 students, excelling in various fields. Students can get a chance to learn, live and work in New Zealand.