Former selector Anshuman Gaekwad has backed Yuvraj Singh to replace out-going Sourav Ganguly in India‘s Test team.

Ganguly bowed out of Test cricket when the recent high-octane Test series with Australia came to end, leaving many - Gaekwad included - clamouring for the recall of Yuvraj.

With the left-hander no stranger to the Test arena - he has 23 Tests under his belt - and his blistering 138 against England in Rajkot on Friday still fresh in the memory, Gaekwad is in little doubt that the 26-year-old would be an ideal replacement for Ganguly.

"Definitely, I would choose him ahead of all other claimants,” the one-time India opener said.

“He is the man best suited for the job. His left-handedness is also an advantage as he will replace another left-hander in the line-up."

Gaekwad, who appeared in 40 Tests between 1975 and 1984, also revealed that he feels Yuvraj is head and shoulders above a crop of players - such as Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and S Badrinath - who are also vying to fill the void created by Ganguly's departure.

"One has to appreciate the way he played,” Gaekwad explained.

“He (Yuvraj) has also proved himself in the Test and ODIs. Others have to prove themselves and have not done as much as Yurvaj has. He is way ahead."