Earlier, this week, Yuvraj Singh wished to come out of his retirement and represent his state-side Punjab in the domestic fold. His former India teammate – Gautam Gambhir remarked that not only his fans in fact, everyone would enjoy the southpaw back on the field.
The cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir further stated that it is Yuvraj’s personal choice to decide what he believes is the best for him.
“It’s his personal decision and each and everyone loves seeing Yuvi play,” ANI quoted Gautam Gambhir as saying.
The 2011 World Cup-winner Yuvraj had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in June 2019.
I will be playing only T20s: Yuvraj Singh
The fulcrum of the Indian batting order, the duo including Gambhir had played a remarkable role for India in the 2011 World Cup after India’s triumph under MS Dhoni in the inaugural edition of the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa.
The 38-year-old Yuvraj has expressed his desire to feature in the shortest version of the game, which is subjected to clearance from the BCCI.
Besides, owing to the wealth of experience — Yuvraj had featured in 137 IPL matches in which he had scored 2750 with the help of 13 fifties.
“As things stand now, I will be playing only T20s if I get the nod. But who knows, let’s see,” Cricbuzz quoted Yuvraj as saying.
The Player of the Tournament for 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj had earlier written to BCCI following a request from Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).
Moreover, star opener maintained that if a player wants to return to cricket despite retirement, he should be welcomed if he continues to play with such gusto.
“If he wants to play for Punjab so why not? You can’t force a cricketer to start or to end and if he wants to come back from retirement and play with motivation, he is most welcome,” Gautam Gambhir said.
I was done with domestic cricket: Yuvraj Singh
Earlier, PCA administration was keen to have Yuvraj back in the fold after veteran held two training camps – to impart knowledge to the youngsters like Shubman Gill, Anmolpreet Singh, Abhishek Sharma and young wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh in Mohali.
Recently, PCA secretary Puneet Bali has approached Yuvraj to come out of the retirement — in a bid to help Punjab cricket in the best possible way.
Interestingly, Bali was the first official to reach out to Yuvraj for which the latter took notice before writing to the country’s cricket board.
“I was done with domestic cricket, though I did want to continue to play in other domestic franchise-based leagues worldwide if I got permission from the BCCI,” Yuvraj told Cricbuzz.
As of now, Yuvraj is yet to get clearance from the national board to return to the field. After making his debut in 2000, Yuvraj had featured in 304 ODIs, 58 T20Is and 40 Tests for India. He had played a pivotal role for India for nearly two decides which also pushed PCA to avail his services yet again.