Yuvraj Singh: The Return of the T20 King

An in-form Yuvraj is India’s best chance to come out of the T20 slump

Not so long ago, Yuvraj Singh was part of the forgotten tribe (including Ashish Nehra and Mohammad Kaif) of Indian cricket. Form slumps, dipping fitness levels, slower reflexes and the bane of cancer – all of these had an important part to play in his long layoff from the international arena.

From being the Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup to facing the ignominy of being cast as the villain in India’s T20 World Cup defeat at Sri Lanka’s hands in 2014, the Punjab dasher’s glory days seemed to be long past.

He waged a lone battle away from the spotlight. An intense fitness regime of six weeks in France two years ago showed his intent – he was not going to fade away without a fight. It didn’t automatically bring in a flow of runs or a heap of wickets, but his mere presence on the field kept his side from imploding altogether.

Without adequate showings by bat and ball, though, Yuvraj never had a chance, and was thus consigned into the hinterlands of domestic cricket. For most fans it seemed to be a fate worse than death for a hero.

Until yesterday.

The one whom Kevin Pietersen dubbed a pie chucker will soon be seen in the Indian jersey for the first time in over a year. Against current ODI world champions Australia, and in a format that is tailor-made for his style of play, Yuvraj is expected to be the answer to India’s woes.

On fast, bouncy tracks against the frighteningly quick bowlers, it will take all of his experience, skill and mettle to deliver a series win. It also affords the selectors and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni a chance to finalize the core of the squad that will turn out in the World Twenty20 championships after a few months.

The selectors’ logic: Experience rules the roost

The BCCI’s five wise men finally awoke to the cold reality that the 2007 champions were in serious need of an overhaul. An element of ruthlessness had to be adopted, along with some desperate measures.

From an outsider’s perspective, I would say that the decisions made in the last 24 hours were some of the most crucial ones, as there could be a long-term impact on the careers of some players.

Many would argue that bringing back a 34-year-old is detrimental to the so-called youth-first policy once espoused by the powers-that-be in Indian cricket. But the recent spate of defeats, including a shambolic 2-0 series debacle at home, has forced the think-tank’s hand. Experience in any format of the game is a vital component of team strategy.

And who better than Yuvraj to reinforce that notion? He has a lot to give, despite being on the wrong side of 30. A calm head, the ability to play the big shots when needed and provide critical breakthroughs with the ball, are some areas where the Men in Blue have been found wanting of late.

With the Sixer King in the middle order, the others can bat around him while Dhoni can finally unleash his hitting prowess down the order. Translating learning into victory is something Yuvraj has learned the hard way, and this will only benefit India in the long run.

Using the past to excel in the present

Yuvraj’s clean hitting will be in demand for India to win

One of the key reasons for Yuvraj’s return to the international fold is his ability to clear the fence at will. What he achieved eight years ago is still fresh in everyone’s minds. Post his recovery from cancer, and during his painful innings in the 2014 World T20 final, this aspect of his game was sorely missed. Also, he showed a distinct vulnerability to genuine pace in the home series against Australia in 2013.

It was time to go back to the drawing board. The left-hander struggled to get the runs in domestic cricket initially, but his dedication and willingness to learn from the past drove him onwards. He worked a lot on his bowling as well, polishing his craft and picking up a fair amount of wickets. The shots are flowing again from his willow, the feet are moving well, and his perceived weakness against spin seems to be a thing of the past now.

The past. It is a curious period of time. It is also the part of life that teaches you more about yourself than anything else. In Yuvraj’s case, the learnings are in place. It is time to see if they are sufficient to pass the first test against Aaron Finch’s Kangaroos.

For now, though, the veteran all-rounder can savour this moment. Like Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings, Yuvraj Singh must finally face his destiny as India’s own T20 King.