Yuvraj Singh Urges Support for Young Players in ODIs
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has expressed his belief that the national team should give young talents Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan a chance to showcase their skills in One Day Internationals (ODIs). While Kishan has already participated in 32 ODIs, Sooryavanshi and Abhishek are still waiting for their first appearances in the format.
The young duo made headlines during the recent T20I match in Wellington, where they teamed up to help India achieve the highest-ever team powerplay score in T20I history, putting up 118 runs without losing a wicket.
Yuvraj emphasized that not including promising players like Sooryavanshi, Abhishek, and Kishan in the ODI lineup would be a disservice to their talent. Earlier this year, Sooryavanshi made his debut, becoming the youngest Indian to do so during the England tour. Abhishek also stood out recently by scoring a rapid 35-ball century, contributing to India’s comfortable 3-0 lead in the T20I series against New Zealand.
“I would love to see Abhishek in the ODIs. If we neglect players like Ishan Kishan, Abhishek, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the 50-over format, we are not recognizing their true potential,” Yuvraj commented during an event for Protocol 32.
‘Abhishek’s Dedication is Key’
India’s current ODI setup boasts established players like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma at the opening positions, with Virat Kohli carrying the middle order. Yuvraj praised Abhishek for his dedication and hard work over the years, highlighting that he deserves a chance in the team. However, he noted the challenge posed by the presence of several accomplished players in the squad.
“I get that we have outstanding players, making it tough for him to find a place in the team. But considering how well the young batters are performing, I hope they will be recognized soon. Abhishek has reached where he is due to his hard work, and he deserves recognition for that,” Yuvraj added.
Following a successful start, India faced its first loss of the series, falling short by 87 runs in Auckland while chasing a target of 260, ending up at 172 for nine. As the two teams prepare for the fifth and final T20I in Hamilton, they will shift their focus to a five-match ODI series set to begin on November 4.
