IPL 2019: Former Indian selector would've also released Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh

The two were key contributors to many of India’s big victories – including the World Twenty20 in 2007 and ICC World Cup in 2011. But just as age remains the most unbeatable factor in sports, the universal law has caught up with two veterans of Indian cricket – Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh – and they might be on the verge of an exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) now.

Gambhir, who was picked by his home state-based franchise Delhi Daredevils last year after a successful stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, stepped down from the captaincy midway into the tournament and was eventually dropped. Now, the left-hand opener has been released by the Daredevils just ahead of the auction of the 2019 edition of the IPL.

A similar script unfolded with another hard-hitting left-hand batsman Yuvraj who was also released by Kings XI Punjab, who had roped him last season. Yuvraj, the man of the series of the 2011 World Cup, scored just 65 runs in eight matches in the 2018 edition while he could not pick a single wicket.

Both Gambhir and Yuvraj are at fag end of their careers

The road might not yet end for the duo who have scored over 22,000 international runs for India together but former Indian cricketer, coach and chief selector Sandeep Patil felt there was nothing to be surprised to see the two getting left out and said he too would have done the same as a franchise owner since both the players are at the twilight of their respective careers.

“It was sad to read about Indian stars being left out by their respective IPL franchises, but to be honest, I am not at all surprised,” Patil wrote in his column for the Quint.

“Yuvraj and Gautam have been my favorite players and remain my favourite, but as a franchise owner, if I have to take a call on them being part of my team, I would also have dropped them.”

Gambhir, 37, led the Knight Riders to two title wins (2012 and 2014) after playing a few seasons for the Daredevils and returned to the latter franchise where it was expected that he would replicate the same success. But it wasn’t to be and Gambhir was replaced by Shreyas Iyer after he managed only 85 runs in six games.

Yuvraj, on the other hand, was the most expensive player in IPL 2015 but the 36-year-old’s demand nosedived over the past few years.

[interaction id=”5bf4512769173752d1b6dbaa”]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Indian Premier League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.