Yuvraj's return to form will be crucial for India

The third and final Test of the India-New Zealand series turned out to be a one-sided contest. Kudos to MS Dhoni & Co for putting up yet another professional performance. Credit should also go to the Vidarbha Cricket Association which ensured a very good Test wicket at the Jamtha Stadium in Nagpur.

The Kiwis, despite their 0-1 series loss, would still take this as a gain following on their 0-4 ODI loss to Bangladesh in their earlier tour. The Daniel Vettori-led side showed great courage and character to keep India in check in the first two Tests. And although they lost the final Test, they did against the No.1 ranked team and in their home conditions. Overall the Kiwis put up a great fight which also spoke of their courage and character.

Having won the Test series, the Indian selectors have now chosen to rest some of the key players for the upcoming One-Day Internationals series. With the World Cup getting closer by the day, they have wisely decided to give some fringe players the chance too. The players who are making the list would do well to seize the chance for the mega event or even for the trip to South Africa. This perhaps is the last and best chance for those hoping to break in.

Yuvraj Singh to me is an integral part of the Indian team and he will be surely needed for the World Cup. He has been given another opportunity and I hope he shall make it count. He has the talent, which the world knows, but the management needs to guide him. The very motive for including a leg-spinner in the limited format is for taking wickets during the middle-overs and Amit Mishra should be doing that regularly

The inclusion of certain players in the playing XI depends on various factors but the rotation of players will be good so that their form and fitness can be gauged.

In the absence of Dhoni and Virender Sehwag, the young and dynamic Gautam Gambhir will be leading India, and his attempt to lead from the front will also help in providing the team a good start. That should make his job both as a batsman and captain easier. It will be a keen contest and an interesting series to watch.