No vacancy for Yuvi?

Before the start of the ODI series between India and New Zealand,one would have been worried about Gautam Gambhir's place in the first XI of a full strength team for the upcoming World Cup.His appointment as the captain of the depleted side for the current series seemed almost ironical.Only two things could save him a slot - one,some good knocks with the bat,which have been missing this calendar year,and secondly,if Yuvraj Singh fails to strike swashbuckling form.Yuvraj was adjudged Man of the Match in the first ODI for his allround performance.However,that didn't do much to Yuvraj's cause.After all,who is satisfied with a 40 plus something score from his willow.Neither did Gambhir score too many in that match.But back to back centuries by him in the second and third ODIs have dented Yuvraj's fortunes further.Even then,he didn't get much time at the crease in those two ties,so he deserved a fair chance.It came,and a golden one at that when India had lost two quick wickets in succession last evening,he,the seniormost pro in the current squad alongside Zaheer Khan,squandered it.That Yusuf Pathan almost single handedly smashed the visitors off the pedestal they had been enjoying midway in the match doesn't help either.Just appreciate the batting line up with full ammo.Virender Sehwag,the indispensable dynamite;Sachin Tendulkar,the living legend;Virat Kohli has been consistent right through;M S Dhoni,the gamemaker.Yuvraj only leeway seems to nudge out Suresh Raina,who has hit a lean patch just recently.still he has been prolific at the four or five down slot and is hard to overlook him.It is Yuvraj who has to prove his mettle all over again.Just one match left here and then the dress reharsal in South Africa.But,if India is to put up a stupendous show in the quadrennial showpiece,the angry young Sardar,who but for his father and former India cricketer,Yograj Singh,would have adorned the track and field,at his murderous best is one weapon without which the arsenal will always be short of the knockout firepower.