Yuvi trains guns on selectors
The former batsman took potshots at the selection committee, lauded the formation of players association which he thought should stand up for cricketers who need breaks.
Mumbai, Nov. 4: Former India batsman Yuvraj Singh on Monday slammed the MSK Prasad-led national selection panel, saying there is a definite need for having better selectors as the current committee’s “thinking in terms of modern-day cricket” is not up to the mark. “We do need better selectors, for sure. Selectors’ job is not easy. Whenever they select 15 players, there will be talks that what will happen to the other 15. It’s a difficult job but their thinking in terms of modern-day cricket is not up to the mark. It’s my opinion,” Yuvraj told reporters here. “I am always in favour of protecting the players and being positive about them. By talking negative about your players and team doesn’t show you in true light. The character only shows when things go wrong and you motivate the players. In bad times, everyone talks bad. We definitely need better selectors,” he said.
It is not the first time that Yuvraj has criticised the selection panel. He had earlier claimed that the selectors did not pick him after being asked to clear the yo yo test which he did.
Yuvraj also said cricketers feel compelled to play even when they are not in a condition to for the fear of losing their place. He batted for a players association. “We deserve it. Because there are a lot of times we have been asked to play cricket that we don't want to. We have to play with the pressure that if we don’t play we will be thrown out. So a players’ association is very important,” Yuvraj said, adding, “That pressure has to go off the players that even if they are tired or fatigued or carrying injuries, they have to play.”
Yuvraj was also asked about the speculation surrounding the international future of former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is currently on a sabbatical. “I don’t know boss.
You should ask your great selectors, when you meet them. That’s their call, not mine,” he responded.
He also advised the selectors not to “shuffle, pick and drop players at the last moment” ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
All-rounder Vijay Shankar was India’s surprise pick in the ODI World Cup squad this year but has not made a comeback since recovering from an injury. Yuvraj took another jibe at the five-member panel. “In between, there was your Vijay Shankar, now he has vanished. You play him and then remove him. How can you make players this way? You cannot produce players by giving them just three of four innings, you have to give somebody a longer run,” he added.