Yuvraj is down but not out: Sachin Tendulkar bats for troubled southpaw

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar on Monday stood firmly behind a beleagured Yuvraj Singh, saying that the talented left-hander "is down but far from being out" and backed him to make it to the 2015 World Cup squad.

Tendulkar, who has always been a mentor to Yuvraj had soothing took to social networking site Facebook to motivate the player who has been castigated from all quarters for his 21--ball-11 that led to India scoring only 130 for three in 20 overs.

"Yuvi, one off day cannot undermine your tremendous contribution in many sweet memories over the years. You may be down today but you are far from being out," Tendulkar wrote on his Facebook page.

"I want you to know that there are many like me in India and across the world, who keenly look forward to you being a part of the campaign to defend the ODI World Cup title in 2015," Tendulkar came out openly in support of the player.

While Tendulkar agreed that Yuvraj could be criticised for his slow batting but people should stop short of writing his epitaph or predict the end of his international career.

"Last evening, Yuvi had a tough day and he can be criticised. But he should not be crucified nor should he be written off."

The iconic batsman is confident that Yuvraj will make a great comeback proving his detrctors wrong once again.

"I have been an admirer of Yuvi's indomitable spirit which has overcome many challenges, both on and off the field.

Knowing Yuvi's determination and ability to fight adversities, he will emerge stronger, proving his critics wrong, yet again."

Tendulkar along with former skipper Sourav Ganguly has backed Yuvraj since his nascent days in international cricket.

When Yuvraj was detected with rare germ-cell cancer, Tendulkar had travelled all the way to UK to visit him.