Disappointing To Watch What They Did With Rayudu: Yuvraj Singh

Updated - 14 Jul 2019, 11:45 AM

Yuvraj Singh. (Credits: Twitter)

Table of Contents

Former India batsman Yuvraj Singh has expressed his disappointment over the way the Indian team-management treated Ambati Rayudu. The right-handed batsman was looking set to be India’s number four at the World Cup. However, the selectors dropped a big surprise by choosing an inexperienced Vijay Shankar ahead of Rayudu.Rayudu did have a poor home series against Australia but overall he had done reasonably well since returning to the team last year. He performed well in the Asia Cup before scoring a century against West Indies at home. His 90-run knock in the testing conditions of New Zealand still remains one of the best knocks played by the Indians this year.

And as if that snub was not enough, the selectors did not even name him in the squad after India lost two players due to injury. Instead, the MSK Prasad-led panel picked Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal to replace Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar respectively. What made everyone more surprised was that Rayudu was in the standby list while uncapped Agarwal was nowhere in contention for the World Cup spot. Rayudu finally decided to announce his retirement from international cricket after the spate of setbacks.

Also Read: Watch: Yograj Singh Blames MS Dhoni For Ambati Rayudu’s Retirement In Bizarre Rant

Yuvraj Singh has now sympathised with the beleaguered batsman. He expressed his disappointment over the treatment meted out to Rayudu before insisting on the importance of backing

“It was disappointing to watch what they did with Rayudu. He was in the contention for the World Cup. He got runs in New Zealand but after three or four bad innings, he got dropped,” Yuvraj Singh told The Times of India.

“And then Rishabh (Pant) came in and he got dropped. If No. 4 is a crucial position in ODI cricket, if you want someone to do well in that position, you will have to back him. You can’t drop someone if he is unable to do well all the time,” added the legendary batsman.

Yuvraj Singh further rued the confusion surrounding who would be India’s number four.

“In between, the team had also tried Dinesh Karthik. Finally, we don’t know what their plan was for No. 4. They backed Rishabh again, he actually did well. If Rohit and Virat would get out early, we could get into trouble and everyone knew about that. We needed a solid No. 4. I didn’t understand the idea behind their plans,” Yuvraj said.

The World Cup-winner then concluded by reiterating that he feels sad with the way Rayudu was forced to retire from the game.

“I also feel quite sad about Rayudu that he retired. It is unfortunate how they dealt with the whole situation. You are looking to go and play the World Cup and suddenly you don’t find a place,” said Yuvraj Singh.