Even after clearing the yo-yo test, I wasn't selected: Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was out of the ODI team for more than three years. Between December 2013 and January 2017, the former Punjab-born player was constantly in and out of the T20I side. He played a couple of World T20s as well (in 2014 and 2016). However, an ODI return eluded him.

But just months before the 2017 Champions Trophy, the southpaw earned a call-up to the 50-over side and batted at the coveted No. 4 spot. In just his second ODI after returning to the side, the southpaw struck a majestic 150 in the second ODI against England in Cuttack. He was later picked for the Champions Trophy and won the player of the match award in India’s first league game.

However, his form dipped as the tournament progressed. Yuvraj Singh scored 105 runs in four innings in that tournament. He played three games in the Caribbean as well where he could muster a mere 57 runs. Subsequently, struggled with fitness and was ruled out due to an injury. Since then, he never returned to the squad as fitness was one of his biggest nemesis.

Yuvraj’s startling revelation

However, in his latest interview, he revealed that he was unceremoniously axed from the side. Yuvraj was asked to prepare for the Sri Lanka series before yo-yo test came into the picture. Despite clearing that, he was asked to go back to domestic cricket. Hence, there was no clear communication.

“Never thought that I would be dropped after being the man of the match in 2 games out of the 8-9 I played after the Champions Trophy 2017. I got injured and I was told to prepare for the Sri Lanka series. Then suddenly, the yo-yo test came into the picture. It was a u-turn in my selection. Suddenly I had to go back and prepare for the yo-yo test at the age of 36.

“Even after I cleared the yo-yo test, I was told to play domestic cricket. They actually thought that I wouldn’t be able to clear the test due to my age. And that it would be easy to decline me afterwards…yeah you can say it was an exercise in making excuses,” Yuvraj said in an exclusive chat with Aaj Tak.

The left-hander continued playing domestic cricket and the IPL for a couple of years before hanging up his boots earlier this year.

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