Yuvraj Singh Back to Ranji Cricket, Dad Hopes Fiancee Hazel Keech Will Bring Luck

After his engagement to British model-actress Hazel Keech in Bali on Thursday, Yuvraj Singh will be back to Ranji Trophy cricket to keep his Team India hopes alive and kicking. Yuvraj, India's 2011 World Cup-winning hero, has been repeatedly overlooked by selectors in recent times and dad Yograj Singh, a former India pacer, is hoping Hazel will bring luck to his son. (Yuvraj Singh Gets Engaged To Hazel Keech)

Punjab will play Baroda in Vadodara from Saturday, the same day India and South Africa start the second Test in Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium. Yuvraj will turn 34 on December 12 but has maintained his fitness to play competitive cricket. Except for a century against Gujarat in Mohali in October, his form has been rather below-par. (Spin Wary South Africa Seek Revival in AB de Villiers' 100th Test)

Although his name was hotly discussed in the media before the South Africa series but the Sandeep Patil-led selection committee gave the Punjab all-rounder the cold shoulder, opting for younger and more prolific players like Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. (Yuvraj Should Not be Ignored Because he is Over 30)

Yuvraj last played a Test match in December 2012 and his last international match was a T20 against Sri Lanka in Dhaka on April 6, 2014. He will have to produce something extraordinary to break into the current Test or limited-overs teams.

Dad Yograj Endorses Yuvraj's Choice

Yograj, often in the news for his anti-MS Dhoni tirade, has endorsed 28-year-old Hazel Keech as his son's would-be bride. The wedding is likely in February next year.

"I was introduced to her by Yuvraj and she is a very nice girl. I am confident that marrying her will change his fortunes and he will return to the national squad. He definitely has it in him to represent India," Yograj said.

Many seniors, including Sunil Gavaskar, has opined that Yuvraj's experience can never be overlooked and the left-handed all-rounder will always remain an option for the Indian team. But the national selectors has indicated their fondness for younger players keeping the long 2016 season in mind. (Yuvraj Singh Deserved One Last Chance: Sunil Gavaskar)

Yuvraj and Hazel caught the attention of all and sundry when they walked in together at Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra's wedding reception in Delhi on November 1. Yuvraj and Hazel have been dating each other for more than three months and Harbhajan took to social media to advise his close friend to 'fall in line.'  (After Big Fat Wedding, Time for Harbhajan Singh-Geeta Basra's Grand Reception)

Yuvraj has certainly heeded Harbhajan's words. Will lady luck smile on Yuvraj as far as cricket fortunes are concerned?

Not sure at this stage but for Harbhajan, it certainly has. The feisty off-spinner has won a grade C BCCI contract and thus remains on the radar of the national selectors for at least another year.