Yuvraj Singh may not be picked for Australia tour: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly said the selectors should look to balance the bowling attack when they meet tomorrow to pick India's squad for the limited-overs tour of Australia.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels Yuvraj Singh will never again make a comeback to the Indian team on the eve of the selectors' meeting to pick a squad for the limited-overs tour of Australia.

Yuvraj last played for India in the ICC World T20 last year but has built a strong case for a return with some strong performances in the domestic circuit. However, Ganguly reckoned Yuvraj's time was up.

"There's no doubt that Yuvraj is doing extremely well. But if the selectors did not pick him during the 2015 World Cup which was in Australia, they won't pick him again for another tour of the same country. That is a realistic view from a fan of his batting," Ganguly told Sports Today.

Yuvraj had made his debut in 2000 when Ganguly was captain but the Bengal southpaw said Yuvraj was at the stage of his career when the selectors may not be very enthusiastic about bringing him back.

There is a feeling in certain quarters that Yuvraj might be included to strengthen the batting but Ganguly said the selectors needed to focus on the bowlers.

"The team has not struggled just because of the batting - the bowling department has let them down. The selectors have to address that. The bowlers didn't have enough pace to trouble South Africa in India. The selectors need to balance the bowling - there is enough ammunition in the batting line-up," Ganguly said.

Ganguly was of the opinion that India should take only two spinners to Australia and preferred Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja, who made a dream comeback into the Indian team during the Test series against South Africa.

"We should take only two spinners - Jadeja's record in Australia has not been good. There is a case for Axar Patel to continue with his place alongside R Ashwin."

Among the pacers, Ganguly felt Umesh Yadav was an automatic choice for a series in Australia but hoped that the selectors picked someone like Ashok Dinda, who has been consistent in domestic cricket. Ganguly said the five wise men will have to pick between Mohit Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be under pressure to deliver some good results Down Under but Ganguly maintained his stance that Dhoni would not be touched until the World T20 which will take place in India next year.

"Dhoni won't be touched till the World T20 in India and very rightly so. Once the tournament is over, then they should sit with Dhoni and take a call on his future. Virat Kohli needs time to build a team for the Cricket World Cup in 2019," Ganguly said.