Few players in Indian cricket evoke as much emotion as Yuvraj Singh. The southpaw has always been known as a match-winner and a fighter both on and off the field. He has been the fulcrum around which two World Cup winning campaigns rotated around, and then there this the irresistible charisma which makes him a darling of the masses.
Thus, there is great anticipation whenever he walks onto the field, and cricket fans follow his innings with keen interest even if he is playing a Ranji Trophy game. Having said this, Yuvraj has been in sparkling form this season and is scoring runs like the way only he can.
In the five games he’s played, he has notched up 672 runs at an average of 84.00 with two fifties and two centuries to his name. These are impressive numbers but are they enough to bring him back to the Indian team?
The selectors are looking at blooding young people, and thus it is justified that Yuvraj be left out. Here in this list, we take at look at 5 reasons why Yuvraj should not be selected for the National team.
#1 He is past his prime
Any International cricketer would vouch for the fact that there is a massive difference between First class and International cricket. Although Yuvraj has been scoring runs for fun in Ranji Trophy, he is bound to struggle when he is up against International bowlers.
The fact that he is a slow starter even in the IPL is evidence of the fact that he is well past his prime and thus he finds it difficult to adjust to International levels. Also, his stints in the National team has not yielded desired results and hence if the selectors decide to ignore him it will not be a scream in oblivion.
#2 Will be a step back
Yuvraj is 34, and hence if the selectors decide to give him another go it will be at the expense of a young talent who can serve the team for a much longer time.
His selection would be a step taken in the wrong direction and it would send a wrong message to the young players toiling away in the dirt.
His place can go to a young prospect who can then be given a longer rope to perform. This will be a confidence building measure and there would be continuity in the selection process.
#3 His inability to play quality fast bowling
Back in 2013, when Yuvraj was making a comeback into the team, he was found out by a rampaging Mitchell Johnson who kept hurling bouncers at him and invariably Yuvraj would fend at it and perish in the process.
He has not got any younger in these years and the reflexes would have slowed down. Thus, it would not be justifiable to accept results from him against nasty fast bowling, particularly now when teams study the opposition batsmen ever so minutely.
Hence, there is no point bringing Yuvraj back when his weaknesses and vulnerabilities are so well documented.
#4 Nothing left to prove
Athletes and sportspersons always look for inspiration and ways and means to drive themselves. Thus, the question arises, what is left for Yuvraj to prove?
He has achieved so much on the field that there is nothing left for him to look up to. On the other hand, if a young player is given a go ahead, there is so much to look at for him.
If we weigh the pros and cons of both the scenarios we will be convinced that Yuvraj is best not selected into the Indian team, and that the selectors rope in young untested players and give them the freedom to express themselves.
#5 Will always be stop gap solution
The belligerent left-hander is 34 and thus if he is given another chance in the Indian team it will always be a short term measure and after 2 or 3 years the selectors would have to look for another option.
With the next World Cup being 3 years away, there is no logic in selecting Yuvraj into the Limited Overs Squad as this will rob the selectors an opportunity to test few other options from the domestic set-up and build a team for the event.
Hence, getting a young player in place of Yuvraj is a better way forward and the selectors should keep their emotions at bay when they pick up the squad.
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