Yuvraj Singh not 'rested', MS Dhoni needs to perform to stay in team: Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels that it will be tough for Yuvraj Singh to find a place in the Indian team going forward. He also said that MS Dhoni would have to perform consistently to be included in the Indian squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup.  

Gambhir discussed the future prospects of these 'senior' players with ESPNCricinfo.   

He said that Yuvraj would find it very tough to return to the team given the fitness standards set by the team. It is being said the failure to clear the 'Yo-Yo' endurance test, a fitness test, at the National Cricket Academy was the primary reason why Yuvraj was not considered for the Sri Lanka limited overs series.

"Yuvraj has been rested," said chief selector MSK Prasad, adding that "doors are never closed on anybody".

However, Gambhir said 'rest' wasn't the right word in this particular case. "I don't think 'rest' is the right word because he (Yuvraj) hasn't played any cricket for quite a while and he would be wanting to play. If you want to see him at the World Cup, he should be given the maximum opportunity. Because, someone like Yuvraj, you want him in that flow, you want him in that rhythm. You can't have someone like him playing in one series and resting thereafter," Gambhir said.

"So, I feel that it's difficult now for Yuvraj to make a comeback. Hopefully, he does because he is one of the greats of the game," Gambhir said. 
 
The 'Yo-Yo' endurance test is an advanced version of the 'beep' test that was used by teams of earlier generations. The current Indian team is considered to be the fittest by a fair distance.

Gambhir also feels that MS Dhoni would have to perform regularly in the run-up to the 2019 ICC World Cup to be included in the 15-man Indian squad for the mega event.

"The only way he (Dhoni) can survive till the 2019 World Cup is if he keeps performing.and that should be the criteria for irrespective of whether he is MS Dhoni or someone like Manish Pandey who's been selected to play for the country," Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo.

Going ahead, Gambhir feels that the wicket keeper slot should also be based on merit and not just based on past performances.