LONDON, Aug 20 (AFP): Yuvraj Singh may not have featured during India's recent 1-0 Test series win against England but the all-rounder is set for a key role when his side take on their hosts in a seven-match one-day international campaign starting with Tuesday's day/night encounter at Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground.
India endured an even worse World Cup than England and fell at the first hurdle after group defeats against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
But during their 2-1 series win over South Africa in Belfast last month there were signs India were starting to find their one-day form.
Vital to that success at Stormont, India's first one-day series triumph outside the sub-continent since 2002 when they beat England in a final at Lord's, was Yuvraj's form.
The 25-year-old, who also bowls left-arm spin, made a dashing 61 not out in the deciding match against South Africa having previously scored an unbeaten 49 as India came from behind to level the series at 1-1.
"He's been a fantastic finisher for us," said India captain Rahul Dravid of Yuvraj. "He's got the power, he's got the skill and he's matching that power and skill with temperament, mental strength and brains.''
"That's a deadly combination. He is up there among the best one- day players in the world, without a doubt."
India's batsmen had barely seven overs at the crease before their final warm-up match, against the England Lions, was washed out Saturday, after the 'A side had given the tourists' attack something to think about in making 296.
But wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, captain in that warm-up match as he prepares to lead India in next month's inaugural World Twenty20, was confident the team could take their Test form into the one-day arena.
"I don't think it is going to be too difficult for us to adjust from playing Test matches to one-day cricket," Dhoni said.
India face England in first ODI today
FE Team | Published: August 21, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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