Yuvraj Singh slams maiden Ranji Trophy double hundred as Punjab take lead over Baroda
India might have won the ODI series against New Zealand with an inexperienced lower-middle order, but fan-favourite Yuvraj Singh gave a gentle reminder to the Indian selectors that he is not ready to quit yet as he smashed his first-ever Ranji Trophy double-hundred in Punjab’s ongoing Ranji Trophy clash against Baroda.
It’s been a match of double hundreds so far with Deepak Hooda’s 293 helping Baroda post a daunting total of 529 in the first innings but along with Manan Vohra, who smashed 224, Yuvraj made sure that his side took a sizeable lead in the match being played at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi. Yuvraj Singh scored a fantastic 260 in 370 balls.
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With the pitch showing no signs of wearing out, the Punjab batsmen will be looking to claim some batting practice with Yuvraj, who has already surpassed his highest ever first-class score of 208, achieved on the first of his many comeback trails in 2012.
Yuvraj, the hero of India’s triumph at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup, made his latest comeback to the Indian side at the start of 2016 and even went on to claim a spot in the 2106 World T20 squad as well.
However, he was overlooked for the T20 squad against West Indies in August as well as the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand, with the selectors turning their focus on youngsters like Manish Pandey and Kedhar Jadhav.
His performance in the domestic circuit since his axing from the Indian side has been less than impressive, with the southpaw failing to make notable contributions in the Duleep Trophy – where he led the India Red side – as well as the only Ranji Trophy match he played this season against Railways earlier this month.
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Yuvraj scored 9 and 17 in the two innings against Railways, who claimed three points against Punjab, but now Yuvraj’s side looks set to return the favour against Baroda. Fans will be hoping that the stylish left-hander continues his fine form and make a strong claim for his comeback to the national side.
Fans took to Twitter to celebrate Yuvraj's knock as Diwali celebrations continue for cricket fans in the country after the MS Dhoni-led side won the ODI series against New Zealand with a thumping 190-run victory at Vizag on Saturday.