Yuvraj Singh chooses Yo-Yo test preparation at NCA over Ranji Trophy, irks BCCI
Nagpur: Out of favour India veteran Yuvraj Singh's decision to do fitness training at the National Cricket Academy at the expense of Ranji Trophy matches has not gone down well with a section of BCCI officials.
Read: It's official! Passing Yo-Yo test mandatory to be picked in Virat Kohli’s Team India
Yuvraj has skipped four of Punjab's five Ranji games so far, featuring in one game, against Vidarbha scoring 20 and 42 respectively.
Some of the BCCI office-bearers are now raising questions on his presence at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) given that he does not have any reported injury issues plaguing him right now.
It is learnt, Yuvraj is bent on clearing the Yo-Yo fitness test, which he has failed in the past, but it has been at the expense of competitive matches.
Watch: Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and all you need to know about the Yo-Yo test
A comeback in the Indian team is also necessary for Yuvraj as he is expected to be back in the IPL auction pool and for franchises, India discards are not the priority options.
Read: Out of Virat Kohli-led Team India, Yuvraj Singh chases BCCI over Rs.3 crore IPL dues
"There aren't any reports that Yuvraj is doing rehabilitation but we have come to know that he is doing exclusive fitness training to pass the Yo-Yo test. Now whether taking Ranji Trophy for granted is a good thing or not, Yuvraj has to decide.
Read: ‘Yo-Yo’ test failure resulted in Yuvraj Singh being axed for India vs Sri Lanka ODIs
"Does this mean that if he attains 16.1 (fitness parameter set by Indian team management) and is without any runs behind him, he will be selected for the Sri Lanka limited overs series?" a very senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Yuvraj, however, could not be reached for a comment on the matter.
Read: Team India coach Ravi Shastri makes this big statement on Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina
"We heard that Yuvraj has told the Punjab team management that he has been asked by the Indian team to do fitness test whereas selectors have always stressed on Ranji Trophy performance. Look at Ishant Sharma.
"He is a part of Indian team but he was released a day before Kolkata test so that he can play Ranji Trophy against Maharashtra," the BCCI official added.
Read: After Yo-Yo Test, it's time for DNA/genetic fitness test for Virat Kohli's Team India
It is not yet clear whether chief selector MSK Prasad, who had been an advocate of playing matches, was kept in the loop about this decision.
In less than a month, Yuvraj will be celebrating his 36th birthday and his fielding has gone down by a notch. He hardly bowls his slow left-arm spin that was instrumental in India's 2011 World Cup triumph.
The left-hander has played 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20 Internationals in his 17-year-career scoring 1900, 8701 and 1177 runs across the respective formats.
There is a school of thought doing rounds that if Yuvraj is selected against Sri Lanka, there is a possibility that it could well be his swansong series for the Indian team as it looks forward towards the 2019 World Cup.
