Yuvraj Singh's attitude may have come under the scanner yet again but the flamboyant middle order batsman on Monday sought to put an end to the issue.
SYDNEY: Yuvraj Singh's attitude may have come under the scanner yet again but the flamboyant middle order batsman on Monday sought to put an end to the issue, saying he has played for the "team's cause" right through his cricketing career.
"I have always played for the team's cause whether it is my junior teams, Punjab, North Zone, India or whatever team I have picked up my bat for. And till the last day of my cricketing life I will continue to serve the needs of the team-management. I have always done whatever the team management has asked me to do and will continue to do so," Yuvraj told.
A section of the Australian media reported on Sunday that assistant coach Lalchand Rajput has questioned Yuvraj's attitude claiming the "team management will speak to him one-on-one" on the matter in Sydney where the team play the second Test on Wednesday.
These reports were vehemently denied by Rajput and team's administrative assistant manager MV Sridhar on Monday, saying the Australian media were playing "mind games".
A couple of senior colleagues of Yuvraj too said there were no problems whatsoever with Yuvraj's attitude.
"I have known Yuvraj for over 10 years now and he has never been this focused as he is now. He really wants to do well in the Test matches and that too against Australia in Australia," said one of players on condition of anonymity.
"I saw him during the Twenty 20 World Cup as well," said another senior colleague.
"On the day of the semi-finals against Australia in Durban we were having breakfast together and Yuvi could barely lift a spoon but he wanted to play that match. It was only after a pain-killer injection was administered that he batted in that game. It is really disappointing if the attitude of such a committed player is questioned."
Yuvraj, who could be accommodated in the playing XI in Melbourne only after a change in the batting line-up, failed with the bat in both innings.
The Indian ranks are believed to have really closed in and captain Anil Kumble has called for a complete rest.
"We are going on cruise today to relax and stay away from the game. Controversies like these are being created to further demoralise us but hopefully they will not have their desired effect. We will give a better fight in the next Test in Sydney," said a member of the Indian team.
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