Yuvraj Singh set to undergo fitness test ahead of eliminator clash against KKR

Experienced middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh will undergo a fitness test ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s eliminator clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders scheduled to played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore tomorrow. Yuvraj has looked in good touch off late but his finger injury has bothered him since a week.

Yuvraj sustained a finger injury while playing against the Mumbai Indians on May 8 and was taken off the field quite immediately after he looked in severe pain. The southpaw also missed the last game the defending champions played against the Gujarat Lions. Sunrisers coach Tom Moody though remained optimistic for Yuvi’s selection for the all-important clash tomorrow.

Keeping fingers crossed

“Yuvraj will be undergoing a fitness test this evening. We’ll be giving him every opportunity to prove his fitness. At this stage, we’re reasonably confident,” Moody was quoted as saying by One India. Arguably the most stylish batsman in world cricket, Yuvraj began the tournament with a brilliant 62 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match of the tournament.

Since that knock, he had a few disappointing outings but played some delightful shots during his brief stays. In 11 matches, Yuvi has accumulated 243 runs at an impressive average but a below par average. Meanwhile, Hyderabad will be facing KKR in the all-important eliminator clash tomorrow and the winners will play the losers of Qualifier 1 on 19th May.

Giving his thoughts on the first knockout game of the tournament Moody said, “Got a lot of fond memories. But comparing last year with this year. These are completely different circumstances. Different balance to our side. “KKR have got different personnel and are playing a different style, with Lynn and Narine at the top.”

Ashish Nehra ruled out of the playoffs

Moody also confirmed the unavailability of Ashish Nehra for the rest of the tournament as he has suffered a hamstring injury. VVS Laxman revealed the fact that it was the not the recurrence of the previous hamstring injury which the veteran fast bowler sustained exactly during the last IPL.