Manish Pandey named as cover after Yuvraj injury, focus on Rahane

An unfortunate injury to left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh has opened the doors for Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey, who was named as his cover ahead of India’s semifinal against West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 on Thursday.

Karnataka batsman Pandey has arrived here as cover for injured Yuvraj, while Mumbaikar Ajinkya Rahane, who was warming the bench so far, is also back in focus ahead of the all-important clash.

Sources in the BCCI said that Yuvraj, who sustained an ankle injury when setting off for a run against Australia at Mohali yesterday, went for a MRI scan soon after arriving here with the rest of the team members.

As per reliable sources, Yuvraj had gone for MRI scan on arrival. The senior batsman is doing his rehab and medical staff is confident that he might be fit foir semi-final

In case Yuvraj doesn’t recover fully in time for the last-four game, either Rahane or Pandey might find a place in the playing XI on March 31.

Pandey last played for India in the fifth and final ODI at Sydney in the bilateral series in Australia and signed off with a maiden century.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, speaking after the six-wicket win last night, 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.

India arrived in the city this evening and are likely to practice at the Wankhede Stadium here on March 31, it was learnt.