New Delhi: Even chief national selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has backed his attempt to forge a remarkable comeback to the Indian team, but Yuvraj Singh admits his plans haven’t taken a concrete shape yet.
Speaking to reporters at the launch of his cancer foundation — YouWeCan — the all-rounder said he knew he needed serious match-practice in order to come back to the set up after a year spent battling a rare germ cell cancer between his lungs.
“The Ranji Trophy is after the World Twenty20. In any case, one can’t prepare for T20 by playing Ranji Trophy. The serious match practice that I can get ahead of the World Twenty20 is the Moin-ud-Dowla Trophy and Buchi Babu Invitational tournaments, but I am still not aware about their dates,” Yuvraj said when asked how he planned to get match fit.
How he plans to get himself ready to face the rigours of international cricket is the main question facing the left-handed batsman and his legion of fans, since he admitted his first foray into training at the National Cricket Academy had been hard.
“It was very tough on my body. Things improved with each session. The shock that the body used to get did reduce. Also, to resume training, you need a lot of strength. The body needs to get back that strength,” he said.
Motivated by Srikkanth’s words, the World Cup man of the tournament is contemplating making himself available for the limited-overs leg of the home series against New Zealand in August.
“Maybe I can play some matches during New Zealand’s tour of India. I really felt very motivated when Srikkanth said that I am in their scheme of things for the World Twenty20. I have been training for past one-and-a-half months and I will get better in the next two months,” Yuvraj said.
The BCCI has recommended Yuvraj’s name for the Arjuna Award for the second time, ahead of the year’s standout performer — Virat Kohli. The Punjab lad said he felt honoured.
“It’s an honour that BCCI has nominated my name for the Arjuna Award. This is the second time that my name has been sent and I hope that I am lucky enough to get it,” he said.
Speaking about his new initiative, Yuvraj said he understood his responsibility as a cancer-surviving celebrity.
“I know I am the face of cancer patients in India. I have a responsibility towards them. It is important to send a positive message. I want to spread awareness among people suffering from cancer. I want them to be positive and (tell them) they shouldn’t be afraid,” he said. “I don’t know how much cricket I will play but certainly I felt that I should do something for those who are suffering from cancer.” In attendance at the event were BCCI vice-president and Indian Premier League chairman Rajeev Shukla and Yuvraj’s mother Shabnam Singh.
Yuvraj also took the opportunity to interact with children and bowl tennis balls at them, before taking the bat in hand and entertaining the fans.
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Yuvraj eyes World T20 after cancer treatment
We want Yuvraj in T20 World Cup: Srikkanth
Arjuna Award will be a great honour, says Yuvraj
Yuvraj in need of ‘serious’ practice
The all-rounder said he knew he needed serious match-practice in order to come back to the set up after a year spent battling a rare germ cell cancer between his lungs.
By Shreyas Sharma | Mail Today – Sun 8 Jul, 2012 11:23 AM IST
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