Punjab’s Yuvraj struggles on as the magic wanes
new delhi — Few things are more painful than watching an ageing athlete falter as they try to summon up the old magic and Yuvraj Singh’s fans have endured a shared agony over the course of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
When India belatedly embraced Twenty20 cricket 12 years ago, Yuvraj’s rise to greatness in the limited-overs format appeared just a matter of time.
However, he was unable to replicate that form in the IPL, though, and his stints with Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils have been underwhelming.
Back at the team where he started his IPL career, Yuvraj has endured a particularly torrid tournament this year - alternating between warming the bench and being shuffled around the batting order at Punjab.
Time seemed to have robbed Yuvraj of his touch and the 36-yearold has scratched around for 65 runs from six innings, while going wicketless with the ball.
The spectacular flourish that became his trademark has been replaced by tentative jabs at the ball, or fatal pre-determined shots.
For someone who wielded a willow that appeared to have sweetspots wherever the ball made contact, Yuvraj struggled to find the middle of the bat against modest bowlers in less demanding circumstances. His laboured batting was reminiscent of his struggle in the final of the 2014 World Twenty20 against Sri Lanka which, many believe, cost India the title. —