Big Yuvraj for Kings XI Punjab

He once hit six sixes in an over. He is considered the batting mainstay of the teams he plays for — India or Kings XI Punjab. In the IPL, he looks a shadow of his own self.

Yuvraj Singh has managed only 101 runs in the seven matches this edition. And that at a pathetic average of 14.

Against Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne here on Tuesday, he completely looked out of sorts. He scored 2. The way the southpaw — without getting into position — ballooned one to Harbhajan Singh in the short fine-leg area off Dwayne Bravo, was something even a school cricketer would be ashamed of.

His series of scores in this edition of the IPL look like telephone numbers: 4 (vs Delhi Daredevils), 9 (vs Royal Challengers Bangalore), 4 (vs Deccan Chargers), 43 (vs Chennai Super Kings), 15 (vs Rajasthan Royals), 24 (vs Kolkata Knight Riders).
Stand-in skipper Mahela Jayawardene (in place of banned countryman Kumar Sangakkara) may have trashed the news of a feud inside the dressing room regarding Yuvraj’s loss of form and their losing streak, but there is surely something more to what is said or what meets the eye.

The team management’s decision to drop Yuvraj to No. 5 — that too in the absence of skipper Kumar Sangakkara in the line-up — was a clear indication that there is a debate on the southpaw’s effectiveness inside the Punjab camp. Now if dropping in the batting order is any indication, then it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Prince of Punjab were to make way for the Kaifs, Powar or even Sodhis in the upcoming matches.