Yuvraj Singh wants to make the most of his comeback after "really terrible" phase
Yuvraj Singh is raring to play for India again after a “really terrible” phase that saw him dropped from the Indian side and go back to domestic cricket. The southpaw was selected in India’s T20 squad for their limited-overs tour of Australia in January.
“The phase in life that I went through was really terrible and it can't be worse. But I've emerged stronger," Yuvraj said after he was selected. "There's always pressure to come back. Pressure is always there in International cricket. People always expect you to repeat your old performances and records.”
The 34-year-old last played for India in the World T20 final in 2014, where his knock of 11 from 21 balls was one of the reasons why India failed to win the tournament. But he is arguably best associated with India's 2011 World Cup triumph, where finished as the Man of the Tournament and his subsequent successful battle with cancer.
"I'm sure that it will come with time, with the faith I've from the selectors, team management and fans. I'm hopeful of getting results," the southpaw said, keen to distance himself from past failures.
Failure is something that hasn’t bothered him this season, both in Ranji Trophy and Vijaya Hazare. the left-hander averages 85.25 in India’s premier one-day tournament, where has scored 341 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 103.64.
Yuvraj's domestic form has got the selector’s attention, as he has been picked for the three T20Is in Australia, which increases his chances of being picked for next year’s World T20 in India.
"I'm out of cricket for more than one and half years and it's difficult to motivate yourself to play domestic cricket, but that's the only way forward. I've been doing well in domestic cricket,” the Punjab batsman said.
He was also full of praise for his support group of family, friends and his mentor.
"The credit goes to my family, my close friends who're always supportive of me. My guruji keeps telling me to keep playing and 'you can come back on top'."
He also wants to do well for his fans, who he terms have been very supportive on social media.
“I've been getting so many messages on social media and everybody wants me to do well. I am very thankful and grateful to my fans. I hope to do well.”