Writing off Yuvraj Singh would be the biggest mistake: Ex-India selector Saba Karim
New Delhi: Former Team India selector Saba Karim has made it clear that writing off Indian middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh’s return to international cricket would be the biggest mistake.
Karim wasted no time in also admitting that the previous selection panel, which was headed by Sandeep Patil and included Karim, felt that Yuvraj was past his prime.
“Discount Yuvraj at your own peril. He is like a phoenix who has time and again shown that he loves rising from the ashes and proving critics wrong. From past experience, I would think it is too early to say that the writing is on the wall. Yes, he has a few issues he needs to work on, but then, he is a champion performer and has time and again proved that,” Karim told CricketNext.
Yuvraj Singh, who last played an ODI against West Indies at the Caribbean in June, was dropped from the 16-man ODI squad for the first three matches that is set to face Australia at home. The Punjab batsman recently became the fifth Indian to play his 300th ODI when the Indian team took field against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal this year.
The 50-year-old former wicket-keeper batsman also added that he along with the other national selectors during his time felt that it would have been tough for Yuvraj to make an international comeback.
“In fact, to be honest, we during our time as national selectors did for a short span think that it would be very difficult for Yuvraj to make it back to the national team. But I am equally happy to say that he proved us wrong and showed exemplary work ethics to make a return to the national team,” he added.
However, he stressed on the fact that the 35-year-old needs to work hard in order to make an Indian team comeback.
“Yes, Yuvi need to go back to the drawing board and plan accordingly. He does need to work on his fitness and play domestic games to keep reminding the selectors that he is keen to make it back to the national team. The road is definitely not easy and trust me, nobody knows that better than the man himself,” he stated.
Karim also went on to say Yuvraj would be focused on improving his own game, rather than thinking of the upcoming youngsters in the Indian team.
“I do not think he will be looking much into how the current group is doing. It doesn’t help to think much about those already out there. I am sure Yuvraj would be more interested in working on his game and waiting for the opportune moment when he gets his turn and would wish to make the most of it,” the former Bihar cricketer stated.
Karim further stated that the scenario of the Indian team keeps changing from situation to situation.
“You cannot say A fits the bill or B fits the bill on a permanent basis. It all changes from situation to situation and you never know when the team management feels that the experience of someone like Yuvraj would suit the bill perfectly. Surely too early to say that the writing is on the wall,” the former selector concluded.
