Yuvraj Singh Lights Up Dark December With Hat-Trick of Centuries
Yuvraj Singh has let his bat do the talking ever since he was released by IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore and denied a contract by the Indian cricket Board.
Ignored in India's World Cup probable list, released by Royal Challengers Bangalore and without a Board of Control for Cricket contract, Yuvraj Singh's December has been a nightmare. The 33-year-old has taken the odds in his stride and scored three back-to-back Ranji Trophy centuries.
Batting for Punjab, the 2011 World Cup-winning Indian star slapped tons against Haryana (130) and Maharasthra (136). On Monday, he scored 182 against Saurasthra to put his team in a position of strength once again. His innings had 24 fours, two sixes and a strike rate of over 60 showed the ease with which he can still bat up a storm.
Yurvaj, whose runs had dried up last season, is currently the highest run-getter in the Ranji tournament with 567 runs at a stunning average of 94.50. And while age may just be a number, the runs are hardly just that and reveal volumes about what the free-stroking left-hander is still capable of.
The Indian selectors, earlier this month, had said that their focus for the World Cup squad was performance.
"Seniors were also considered (and) there was a discussion. But the thought process was to give preference to the performers," Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Sanjay Patel had said.
Three centuries and a 50 from six innings from Yuvraj's blade may make BCCI selectors bite their tongues before saying anything further. (Read more here)
International stars though had hardly held themselves back in expressing their surprise at Yuvraj's omission.
"Interesting decision to leave Yuvraj out of the 30-man squad. All the others I get but Yuvi can't make the 30?," New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris had previously said. (Read more here)
With his last India appearance in April this year, Yuvraj may have not had international exposure for some time. Despite being the most expensive buy (Rs 14 crore), he was also released by RCB for the next season of Indian Premier League. The final straw was not being offered a contract by BCCI.
As in the past though, when he made a heroic comeback after battling cancer, die-hard fans would now hope that their hero will be back in the reckoning and continue to enthrall all in domestic and international cricket - regardless of the format.