Yuvraj eyes return against Kiwis before T20 World Cup

New Delhi - Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who has recovered from a rare germ cell cancer, says it is crucial for him to play in the T20 Internationals against New Zealand to earn a spot in the World Twenty20 squad.

Yuvraj has been training for month-and-a-half at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Talking to reporters here Saturday, Yuvraj said since there is not much domestic cricket ahead of the the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, starting September 18, he is eyeing a comeback with the two T20 Internationals against New Zealand slated for Sep 8 and 11.

“There is not much domestic cricket before the World T20 so I have to make a comeback for the tournament, I must play in the two matches against New Zealand,” said Yuvraj.

The 30-year-old reiterated that he was in no mood to make a rushed comeback and expressed his desire to play in a few domestic tournaments.

“Unfortunately there is no Ranji Trophy before the World Cup. I hope to get some match practice in the Buchi Babu Memorial. Chemotherapy has taken toll on my body but I am getting fitter by the day. I should be fully fit in the next two months,” Yuvraj said on the launch of his cancer foundation ‘YouWeCan’.

Asked how tough it is to be back on the field after undergoing cancer treatment, Yuvraj said: “It is very tough. I have started working on my fitness all over again and each muscle takes time to regain strength. The muscles have stopped trembling and I feel a lot better. I am focussing a lot on cardio as of now.”