Yuvraj Singh Slams The Indian Team Management For 2019 World Cup Failure

Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh precisely knows what it is like to win a World Cup. Having been part of two World Cup-winning teams, Yuvraj Singh understands the requirements and played crucial roles in both the victories. Hence, when he indulged in an Instagram Live session with Kevin Pietersen, he was unhappy about the men in blue’s tactics in the 2019 World Cup.

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India started their campaign on a roll, beating the likes of South Africa and Australia in their first two clashes. Their only loss in the group stage came against the eventual champions England despite which they finished at the top. The two-time champions were up against New Zealand in the semi-final at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

The Kiwis gave India a modest target of 240 in a rain-curtailed encounter to make it to the final at Lord’s under overcast conditions. However, India’s top-order, which fired throughout the group stage, failed miserably. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were back in the hut with just five runs on the board. Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni revived the innings before they eventually lost by ten runs.

India’s tactics specifically came under fire when Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya received batting promotions ahead of MS Dhoni. On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik, who plays the role of a finisher, batted at number five. Pointing out the same, Yuvraj Singh slammed their decisions in the thick of the moment.

Nothing against Rishabh Pant. Nothing against Vijay Shankar: Yuvraj Singh

The 38-year-old Yuvraj lamented the lack of experience chosen by India at the grandest stage of them all. He was mainly critical of Rishabh Pant, who batted early, having played only four ODIs before the knockout game. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli departing soon, India needed someone to stabilise the innings.

Hence, Yuvraj believes that if he had played up to 40 matches, Pant would have tackled the situation sensibly instead of playing a rash shot. All-rounder Vijay Shankar’s selection in the 15-man squad also came under question ahead of specialist batsman Ambati Rayudu. At the same time, the retired all-rounder refused to criticise either Pant or Shankar. It was the planning of the management that upset him.

“He (speaking of Pant in particular) was playing the fifth ODI of his career (during the New Zealand tie). But the point is bad thinking from the coaching staff and team management to bring in a guy who has played 5, or 7, ODIs. Nothing against Rishabh Pant. Nothing against Vijay Shankar.

But you need experience. What happens when Rohit and Virat get out? If he would have played 40 or 45 ODIs, he would have taken a single and gone the other side (on Pant’s poor shot selection during a crunch moment of the tie). We didn’t plan it really well.” Yuvraj Singh said as quoted by Times Now.

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