Former Indian Skipper Anshuman Gaekwad Feels Yuvraj Singh Must Score in the Domestic Tournmaents

India’s World Cup hero in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup is finding it hard to make it to the Indian national squad despite clearing the ‘Yo-Yo’ test on Monday at the National Cricket Academy. According to reports, Yuvraj Singh scored 16.5 in the ‘Yo-Yo’ test at the NCA and has worked on his fitness to clear the mandatory ‘Yo-Yo test’ which is a bar set by the selection committee to be eligible for selection in the national side.

The BCCI also announced the squad for the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka on Monday, but the list did not have Yuvraj’s name in it. Chief selectors MSK Prasad cited that lack of match practice was the reason for Yuvraj missing out the cut. Yuvraj has missed four out of the five Ranji trophy matches Punjab has played this season. Yuvraj played just one Ranji match against Vidarbha scoring 20 and 42 runs in both the innings respectively.

Yuvraj last played for India in July against West Indies and has been out of the team since then majorly because of his fitness. Former Indian captain Anshuman Gaekwad believes clearing the ‘Yo-Yo’ does not guarantee a player a call-up for the Indian team, Anshuman believes Yuvraj can make a comeback to the team if he scores competitive runs in the domestic tournaments.

Gaekwad told International Business Times:

“Yuvraj Singh has to show his form with the bat, score runs at the domestic level now. If he is fit and performing, he can definitely make it to the Indian team irrespective of his age.”  

Gaekwad also feels that Yuvraj’s 400 match experience plays a huge advantage, in this case, to make it to the 2019 World Cup squad but he must play in the domestic tournaments:

“Had he been playing in the Ranji Trophy, scoring runs and then cleared the test, the selectors could have given a thought and may be picked in the limited overs team as well. Now, scoring runs in domestic cricket after having proven his fitness will only make his case stronger. Yuvraj has a greater advantage than many other players in the team as his experience will help India cricket.”

Yuvraj must score in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy to make a case for his selection.