Hardly anyone follows Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy in an era where T20 cricket is the flavour of the day. But things are bit different this time. After a long time, Indian domestic cricket is getting a lot of attention. Duleep Trophy semi-finals are in progress and it is drawing important eyeballs, if one can say so.
The reason is mostly because India’s comeback man Yuvraj Singh is playing in the competition. Yuvraj’s story has been an inspiration. The man, who was responsible for India winning the 2011 World Cup, was diagnosed with a rare germ cell cancer and hardly did anyone reckoned that he will back in action so soon.
But Yuvraj through his sheer love for game made impossible look possible as he began training just after his treatment and expressed his willingness to play for India again.
When Yuvraj expressed the desire to play in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka few months ago, it looked like a distant dream. And when his name was announced in the squad for the two-match T20 series against New Zealand and the T20 extravaganza in the Island Nation, it did draw mixed reactions from his friends and well-wishers.
Some liked the idea whereas some showed their concern saying that it was too early for Yuvi to rush into international cricket. But then only the champion knew where he stood and made his magical return possible.
Yuvraj now has played a full tournament and it will be only fair to say that he cleared his test with flying colours. The World Cup in Sri Lanka gave glimpses of Yuvraj of the past. He was not able to play a long innings but the man did not get much opportunity as well. He made some impressive twenties and some of the shots he played were vintage Yuvraj.
To judge a cricketer’s fitness one has to look in all the three departments. Yuvraj was impressive with the ball and was the highest wicket-taker for Indian team. He was decent on the field as well. Yuvraj improved with every game and was the man of the match in India’s last match against South Africa.
After winning the award Yuvraj said that he was happy and was able to answer the critics who doubted his comeback. However he admitted that he has a long way to go and the coming domestic season was critical for him.
Coming back to domestic cricket and Duleep Trophy, Yuvraj scored a double hundred for his team in the first innings. Yuvraj scored 208 and was on the crease for 333 minutes. This is Yuvraj’s second highest individual score (209 being his highest) and the innings came when people doubted his fitness for even the shortest format.
Yuvraj over the years have said that he wants to play Test matches for India. He has got ample opportunities as well as the southpaw has played 37 Test matches. However his performance has been pretty ordinary. He has scored only at an average of 34 and it will be fair to say that it was right to drop him based on his performance.
But things have changed since Yuvraj played for India in his last Test match against West Indies in November 2011. Indian team has seen the departure of two of their middle-order greats (Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman) and that has left some places up for grabs.
Suresh Raina played against New Zealand but he has been a failure in Test matches, Rohit Sharma is at his inconsistent best and to trust him with a Test spot is a gamble that the team management is not willing to take. So going by how Yuvraj has impressed since his comeback it won’t be a surprise if he is recalled in the Test squad.
Yuvraj has already won many hearts through the courage he has shown to get this far and it won’t surprise if the man who looks to be on a mission go on to play Test matches and play like he never before.
By Indian Sports News Network
