A risky move: Yuvraj included for T20 world cup squad

11 August, 2012

Yuvraj Singh has been included in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup squad. Is it right for the selectors to pick him? It is a risky move for it might make or break the player's career.

THE INDIAN team for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from September 18 has been announced. Most of the players would pick for themselves, so there were no major concerns for the selectors. Still, some slots were required to be filled and they also had to deal with injury concerns and players absence from international cricket. In that respect, Yuvraj’s selection has been baffling, who has not played competitive cricket for long. Are the selectors right in selecting the player?

The selectors must have discussed hard and long for the inclusion of Yuvraj Singh in the T20 squad. He has not played any sort of competitive cricket since November 2011. It was early 2012 that the world learnt about his fight against Cancer, which grabbed headlines all over the world. Questions were raised during his fight against cancer, where some even felt that his career was over. But, it was not to be, as the selectors proved it by selecting him for the T20 World Cup. But, one may have to say that it’s too early and they should have given him more game practice and selected for other tournaments.

Sourav Ganguly also does not seem to be happy with the selectors’ decision as he does not doubt about the quality of the cricketer, but questions about his fitness after he was dealt with a serious injury, reported The Times of India. With the amount of cricket that is being played these days, it might not be a good thing for Yuvraj to celebrate his comeback, who was happy with the news of his inclusion.

It would be a tough challenge for the player, who has proved himself in the coloured clothing for India every now and then. It was his experience in the shorter format of the game that must have prompted the selectors to include him in the squad. If he plays well, India would definitely be a strong contender for the World Cup. He can play the all rounder’s role in the squad with his slow left arm, which will come in handy on Sri Lankan slow wickets.

But his second innings would be a much tougher one after such an injury, which threatened his career too. It would be a test of his character and his mental strength, so it could have been better if he was eased into a home ODI series rather than a high voltage action packed format of the T20, where the quality would be top notch.

The selectors must have gifted him a place in the side for his relentless effort he has been putting in the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore to get back to his fitness. It has been learnt that the player would be once again heading to the NCA to better his fitness and get back to his best shape ahead of the T20 World Cup. He is also slated to play against the Kiwis in the upcoming two T20 matches on September 8 and September 11. These are the only competitive matches that the left hander would be playing before he heads off for the T20 World cup in Sri Lanka.

Indian fans would keep their fingers crossed about his performances in the World Cup. It could make or break him. If he fails, it could have a negative impact on his game. But, if he performs satisfactorily, it is only going to make him a strong cricketer and the selectors need a pat on their back for the risk that they have taken by including Yuivraj.