It has been over 18 months since Yuvraj Singh last featured in any format for India, but the veteran all-rounder still harbours hopes of making it to the Indian squad for the 2019 World Cup.
“Cricket has given me everything. When I leave the game, I want to be at my best. I do not want to go with any regret,” the 2011 World Cup-winning hero said on Sunday, 6 January, at the sidelines of Punjab’s Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Bengal in Kolkata.
Yuvraj, who has been struggling to recapture the form that made him one of the best batsmen in limited overs cricket, was bought by Mumbai Indians at his base price of Rs 1 crore at the IPL auction in December. The 37-year-old has set his sights on the T20 extravaganza to launch his bid for a comeback.
“I’m trying my best. This is our final league Ranji Trophy match and let’s see if we can qualify... After this, we have the national T20 tournament and then we have the IPL. I will give my best shot and hope for the best.”Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj also had a word of appreciation for the Indian team’s fine show in Australia.
“Obviously their experience in batting is not that much what it used to be. But it's (a) fantastic effort from the guys. Especially (Cheteshwar) Pujara, (Virat) Kohli, (Jasprit) Bumrah. They really excelled in Tests. It's great to see Rishabh (Pant) going down the order and scoring big runs. It's (a) great sign for Indian cricket for the future.”
The once-swashbuckling left-handed batsman, a seasoned campaigner from several Australian tours himself, recalled the difficulty of getting past Australia on their own soil.
“Every time we toured Australia, it's been a very tough tour. We had the opportunity to win the series, it was a draw... Then next time Australia won 2-1,” he said recalling the 2003/04 and 2007/08 tours.
Yuvraj reserved special praise for Rishabh Pant, who scored a Test hundred each in England and Australia within months of making his debut in the format
Yuvraj also lavished praise on Rishabh Pant who scored a Test hundred each in England and Australia within months from his debut.
"He came last year, he got picked for India. Everybody said he plays too many shots, he's rash, he doesn't have the mind. But after one year of being in and out, having a good IPL, the guy scored two hundreds overseas," Yuvraj said.
(With inputs from IANS)
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