By this time Yuvraj Singh should have been a regular in the Indian middle order and a certainty in the Test Team, after eight seasons of international cricket and a proven match winner. However, he still turns over in bed, plump up his pillow, with the inscrutable question; does he belong to the test level? The elegant lefthander has been left out of the Indian squad for the Emerald Isles in late July ,with selectors using the word “rested “!

Once again, he has hit a roadblock. So, is he the next Michael Bevan then? Too premature to say for sure! even if a popular website has written him off.

While the years gone by saw the stylish lefthander mature as one of the mainstays of Indian batting in limited overs version, what was left in oblivion was Yuvraj the test batsman .The test team line up is studded with some heavyweights and it is difficult to make a batting slot your own. In 2006, when Ganguly was no longer in the frame, and Yuvraj looked assured of his place in the Test side, with a successful season in ODIs. However, with Ganguly reinventing himself in South Africa and Laxman scoring runs consistently, Yuvraj loosing his spot was a foregone conclusion.
The “process” has been a interesting one for the southpaw .Having announced the arrival into the international scene with a blistering 84 and some acrobatic catching against Australia in the Nairobi Mini-World Cup in 2000-01. Since then it’s been a rollercoaster ride. He had a lean trot and was dropped immediately for the one-dayers against Australia.The primal talent quickly gained a reputation as a finisher scoring at a brisk pace, with an undefeated 98 against SriLanka in 2001. But the scene in test arena was not similar .He initially struggled to break into strongest middle order batting line up in the world .This was quickly followed by exploring opportunity as an opener only to realize later on that his natural habitat is indeed the middle order.
While ODI brought smiles on Yuvraj’s face, he has found the transition to Test cricket far tougher than expected. Getting out after doing all the hard work and playing too many shots, have been the nemesis of the Punjab lefthander .Another aspect that has been found wanting is his footwork. Early in his career, he was clearly troubled by spinners and often got caught on the crease, leading to dismissals. But the question is does spin puts Yuvraj in real spot of bother? Out of the last 7 innings that he padded up in tests, he was dismissed by spinners thrice .Yuvraj jabs at deliveries, cannot pick up the length let alone read the spinner of his hands , goes for premeditated sweep shot and brings down his own downfall.
All the three test tons have all come against Pakistan in quick time but to regain his spot he will have to take leaf out of Laxman and Ganguly , who have mastered to match potential with performance and more importantly construct the innings , with attaching high price for their wicket. The only plausible reason for his dramatic demotion lies in the cluttered mind and desperateness to prove his credentials at the Test Level
Playing against quality spin exemplary judgment of the turn and bounce and more significantly precise understanding of the whereabouts of one’s wicket in addition to playing the ball dexterously late.
Any thoughts of wearing the whites again would require a different mindset and to temporarily rein in the natural ambition to hit boundaries. As Geoff Boycott realized early in his career batting isn't about how many boundaries you hit, it's about how many runs you make.Yuvraj's record of 1050 runs at an average of 32 in 20 Tests, suggests there has been more dust than gold. But the average of 32 will improve, as he realizes his flair and learns the intricacies of test cricket

While one might argue that the selectors have shielded him against the likes of Murali and Mendis, to break his confidence completely or were wary about his performance on the slow tracks .The key is to just lie low, focus on the game and stick to ones strengths and come back strong
Few can time the ball as sweetly as Yuvraj at his best and has all the making of a great test batsman.Yuvraj has always been a creature of confidence. When his mind is unfettered, his footwork decisive, and intent positive, he scores runs. It is when he is tentative - especially outside the off stump against the fast bowler, or sweeping instinctively against the spinner - that he is in the most trouble. Confidence comes from making runs, from playing big innings but equally, it comes from feeling that you belong in a team. The answer of the question posed at the start, would be an emphatic affirmative, only if Yuvraj alters his approach.