Former chairman of selection panel backs Yuvraj Singh for another comeback

After India gave Sri Lanka various reasons to rethink their approach in International cricket defeating them 9-0 across all formats in their recently concluding tour, now, the Indian selectors will have something to think about as they prepare themselves to host Australia. Even though the selectors will be tempted to retain the same winning combination, they will also want to try out those who are in the scheme of things for the long run as well as those who impressed in the India A tour of South Africa.

Keeping that in mind, there could be a couple of changes as the MSK Prasad-chaired committee looks to rotate players keeping mind the busy season and the ICC World Cup 2019 in England. The big question ahead of the selectors’ meeting next week is whether veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh will get another chance to wear the Blues.

While the left-hander is sweating it out to keep himself fit for the forthcoming domestic season, he could not find a spot in the three teams for Duleep Trophy (four-day pink ball matches) and also the Board President’s XI one-day squad for a warm-up match against Australia in Chennai on September 12.

The 35-year-old Yuvraj has not played for India since the ODI against West Indies in North Sound on June 30 this year but was ‘rested’, not dropped from the squad for Lankan tour, but former India wicketkeeper Kiran More certainly thinks there is a possibility of a Yuvi-come back.

“I will not say anything about any player (on making comebacks),” More told International Business Times, India when asked about Yuvraj, who has played 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is.

“Everybody doubted Yuvraj about his return and he played again (for India). It is upto an individual how he motivates himself and returns. He is talented, you cannot doubt about his performance. He can make a comeback,” he added.

Age no factor for selection

Being the former chairman of the selection panel, he knows a thing or two about player comebacks. More cited Ashish Nehra’s example to emphasize that age should not be a factor in deciding a cricketer’s career. However, his mention of the word fitness also raises questions as Yuvraj may be spending his days working on it, many youngsters like Manish Pandey and KL Rahul have an edge for his No. 4 spot because they supersede the fitness aspect.

“As a former selector, I look at a player as to how fit he is and not about his age. Ashish Nehra is a good example on how he made a comeback,” he said.