Yuvraj Singh has expressed delight at the prospect of wearing the India jersey again during the three Twenty20 Internationals in Australia, but felt there was a personal sense of disappointment for not making the cut for the ODIs.
“A fresh start or a new beginning is the way I’d put it. I wouldn’t say my India career is going to start all over again. It began 15 years ago,” Yuvraj told The Telegraph. “To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed that I am back only in the T20I squad, not for the ODIs. However, there’s happiness that I’m back after quite a while. The disappointment is personal and I hope I’m not misunderstood and that nothing at all is taken out of context.”
Yuvraj, who last played for India in the final of the 2014 World T20, said the time spent away from the team was extremely difficult, but the itch to regain his berth in the national team kept driving him. However, he admitted comebacks were never easy, especially due to the “compressed nature of T20s.”
“Yes, conditions in Australia are challenging and the T20 format is even more demanding. It’s such a compressed affair that there’s little time to adjust,” he said. “The 20-over game isn’t easy. That said, I’m positive, for that’s the way I am. I have the confidence to try and do my best in the opportunities I get. The dressing room needs to have belief in me. I’m sure I’ll get the support I need.”
With scores of 93, 36, 36, 78 not out and 98 in his five outings, Yuvraj is Punjab’s highest run-getter in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, where his team have won five out of their six matches to secure a quarter-final berth. Yuvraj underlined his domestic form as the key factor in his comeback.
“I’ve been out of cricket for more than one-and-half years and it’s difficult to motivate yourself to play domestic cricket but that was the only way forward. I’ve been playing first-class cricket from 1996-97 and first played for India in 2000.
“But, yes, I knew I needed a good tournament. I needed to give off my best. I’ve always valued domestic cricket. Certainly now, I hope I can continue in this form (for Punjab) in the knockout stage. Besides getting the runs, I also feel good from within.”
India play three T20Is in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney before returning home for a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. That will be followed by the Asia Cup T20 in the build up to the World T20 in March-April.
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