Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin lends support to veteran Yuvraj Singh and calls for Suresh Raina's selection following ‘Yo Yo’ fitness test saga

Ajit Vijaykumar 20:39 09/11/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • India’s limited overs team looks far from settled in both formats with places still up for grabs ahead of a challenging season that includes away tours of South Africa and England leading up to the 2019 World Cup in England.

    Star performers like Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina are struggling to make a comeback having failed to pass the new ‘Yo Yo’ fitness test that has become compulsory for all international aspirants.

    While the Indian team struggles to find any sort of stability in the middle order and proven middle order players like Yuvraj and Raina continue to remain outside the mix, former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin said the team should consider relaxing the norms for players in the twilight of their careers.

    “I really don’t know what the Yo-Yo Test is. But as far as fitness is concerned, everyone has to be fit. If you are not fit, you don’t play. It happens in football or any other sport. But I feel there are players almost in the twilight of their careers but who are still very, very good. Maybe fitness for them can be relaxed a little,” Azharuddin told Sport360 on the sidelines of the UAE-India Economic Forum 2017 in Dubai.

    “Like for a player like Yuvraj, he has gone through so much because of his illness (cancer). I don’t think he would have passed the ‘Yo Yo’ test. There are other players as well. I am a very big fan of Suresh Raina. I feel he should come back. I saw him one and a half months back and he has become very fit. But if the team has taken a decision, you need to back it.”

    Another veteran who is in the news but for different reasons is wicketkeeper batsman MS Dhoni. His 37-ball 49 in the second T20 against New Zealand while chasing 197 drew flak with some suggesting the team should start looking for alternatives, at least in the T20 team. While Dhoni’s place in the 50-over side seems fairly secure, such discussion about his place in the side can’t be healthy especially ahead of the 2019 World Cup. But Azharuddin believes it will be Dhoni at the World Cup in England.

    “As far as I see, Dhoni will play the 2019 World Cup. If he had to give way to another player, he would have done so four or five months back. I can’t predict his mind but it appears to me he will play the 2019 World Cup. Naturally, it will be on merit. If he is performing well, he will play because he is one of the best one-day players.”

    Recommended