The 28-year-old, who injured his left wrist during the Bangladesh series, has been struggling in the ongoing IPL. What’s more, his body language doesn’t seem to be positive either.
Ever since Sourav Ganguly hung up his boots and Rahul Dravid lost his place in the ODI squad, Yuvraj Singh has essayed the role of a senior pro in ODIs.
In fact, the Prince of Punjab has led by example in T20 too. However, the 28-year-old, who injured his left wrist during the Bangladesh series, has been struggling in the ongoing IPL. What’s more, his body language doesn’t seem to be positive either.
When the selectors sit down on Friday to pick the squad for the the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in the Caribbean next month, Yuvraj’s form and fitness would be their top priority. The southpaw, who had singled out Stuart Broad for some ‘sixy’ treatment in the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007, has just managed 75 runs from five innings in the IPL so far.
Experts DNA spoke to feel the selectors ought to choose players who are fit and are in form. However, they also say that Yuvraj is just one big knock away from getting back his confidence.
Former Test cricketer and national coach Aunshuman Gaekwad feels Yuvraj’s batting is not a concern but his fitness is. “One cannot doubt his batting. You can’t go by his average or the number of runs that he has scored in the IPL so far. He has done well at the international level and it’s just a matter of one knock,” Gaekwad says.
The former opener adds that the team management should enquire about Yuvraj’s fitness before picking him. “He has just come out of an injury and maybe that’s why he not scoring runs comfortably. His body language hasn’t been all that great and he seems low on confidence. I think the selectors, team management and captain should enquire about Yuvi’s problem. They need to find out if it’s physical or psychological and help him out”.
Gaekwad also says that youngsters like Manish Pandey could be given an opportunity.
“Manish Pandey, R Vinay Kumar and the other performers should get a look in,” he said.
However, former India opener Lalchand Rajput refused to comment on Yuvraj. “I think the players who are in form, performing and fit should board the flight to West Indies,” Rajput said. It may be recalled that Rajput was the coach of the Indian team which won the 2007 World T20 in South Africa.
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