Yuvraj Singh hopeful of a Test comeback

Apr 22, 2016 at 11:37 AM

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Yuvraj Singh hopeful of a Test comeback

Arguably the greatest match-winner for India in limited-overs cricket, Yuvraj has achieved almost everything in the shorter format of the game.
From winning the T20 world cup to 2011 World cup, Yuvraj has played a vital role in almost every success that India had in limited overs cricket in the past decade and a half.
But when it comes to representing India in test cricket,the maverick left-hander looks like a pale shadow of himself.

Recently in an interview with the Times of India, the southpaw revealed his desire to don the white jersey for the national team once again.

Excerpts from the interview:

How soon would you see you join the IPL action?

The cast on my leg was taken off yesterday. I am looking to play the game on May 6. Hopefully ,I should be ready by then. It’s not certain that I will play on May 6, but my target is to play on that day.

Was it frustrating to miss out due to injury?

It was, because I’d prepared myself for the World T20. I was contributing well for the team with bat and ball. It’s always frustrating to miss a semi-final, especially of a World Cup, because there aren’t many that you play, and it was a big occasion. Unfortunately, the team lost as well, so I felt even more bad.

Is it a good idea to play the IPL when there’s so much debate around it considering the drought situation in the country?

I don’t think IPL has got to do anything with what the situation is in India. I don’t think there is any reason that the IPL shouldn’t go on.

How much was the help from captain and coach while you were making a comeback into the Indian team?

Ravi Shastri helped me a lot mentally . He told me ‘just go out there and express yourself and I’ll back you, and you’ll play every game in the World Cup,’ and that’s exactly what I needed. exactly what I needed.

Were you under pressure while making your comeback?

No. I’ve gone through all of that. I’m happy that my health is good, and that I’m playing again. I feel lucky that I’ve an opportunity to play again. A lot of people don’t get that when they go through cancer. So, I present myself as an inspiration to a lot of people out there.

Virat was in exceptional form in the WorldTwenty20…

He’s been playing really well for a long time. He’s been consistent. Every time he comes back into form, his performances get better. You don’t see that with a lot of players. Virat wins you a lot of games, which he did for us in WorldT20.

You gel well with him both on and off the field…

We have a lot of understanding. See, I’ve seen him grow up in front of me. I’ve always tried to help him with things that a young guy needs. I felt all along that he and Rohit had a lot of potential.He’s living up to it. I think he’s gone a little ahead of his potential.It’s only because he trains the hardest. His self-belief is more than the others, which is the reason he has excelled.

Where do you see your career heading? Do you see yourself playing another 50-over World Cup?

It depends on how well the IPL goes. If I do well in it, I may get an opportunity . So, let’s see what happens. Right now, it’s tough to get a spot in the India ODI side, because, in the middle order, Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey are playing really well. So if I get an opportunity , it’ll be great. I’ll give my best in whatever cricket I get to play.

With all the talent that you have, do feel you could’ve done better in Test cricket?

Yaar when you’ve been the 12th man of the team for seven years, and you’ve greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly , Rahul Dravid Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman, it’s difficult to get an opportunity , because that time we used to get one or two chances.Right now, there are more opportunities. Guys are getting a chance to play 10 Tests. If they do well or don’t do well, they still play. It’s good that this is happening because they’re secure that even if they don’t do well, they’ll get a chance.In our time, there was so much competition that it was hard to get opportunities. So, whatever the circumstances, I think I did decently well. There were times when I couldn’t convert my 60s and 70s into 100s. So, I think that’s where I lacked. Instead of three, if I had six to seven hundreds, I’d have been happier, but it’s not easy to score hundreds at No 6.

India could still use your experience in Tests…

There’s an opportunity there, for sure. India is playing 13-15 Tests in India next. I’ve scored six or seven hundreds in the past couple of seasons in the Ranji Trophy . If I get a chance to play on spinning tracks, I’ve been playing spin well. I’d love to play Test cricket again. See, the selection isn’t in my hand. All I can do is try my best.

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