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Highlights
Mumbai: Ajinkya Rahane is back in focus ahead of India’s semifinal against the West Indies after Yuvraj Singh twisted his ankle in the ICC World T20 match against Australia here. Manish Pandey has also been drafted in. (India defeat Australia to qualify for World T20)
Rahane, who is yet to get a game in the tournament, could find himself playing at his home-ground in Mumbai if Yuvraj doesn’t recover fully in time for the last-four game on March 31.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, speaking after the six-wicket win on Sunday, said he is open to changes in the playing XI if the conditions demand.
“I don’t know whether we should make changes but it is possible, depending on the wicket. We have to see Yuvraj’s injury as well. We would definitely like to have a replacement ready if the physio says his injury is bad,” he said.
The team management is assessing Yuvraj’s condition. The southpaw, who was dismissed on 21, was in pain after twisting his ankle and had to be attended by the physio in the middle. Rahane should be match ready if the need arises and even before the Australia game, he had an extended session at the nets of the I S Bindra Stadium.
Shane Watson, who retired with the Mohali loss, was asked about his former IPL teammate Rahane not finding a place in the XI.
“Jinks (Rahane) I think is a very good player. But where do you fit him with the quality of Indian batting line-up? He certainly knows how to score in all conditions,” Watson had said.
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Manish Pandey Drafted in
Karanataka Batsman Manish Pandey has been drafted in as cover for injured Yuvraj. The right-hand batsman, who made a century in his last appearance for India – in the fifth and final One-Day International against Australia in Sydney, arrived in Mumbai on Monday night.
Sources in the BCCI said that Yuvraj, who sustained an ankle injury when setting off for a run against Australia at Mohali, went for a MRI scan soon after arriving here with the rest of the team members.
The senior batsman is doing his rehab and medical staff is confident that he might be fit foir semi-final.
Source: NDTV