Yuvraj Singh SMAT 2021 team: The former Indian all-rounder was requested by his home state to come out of retirement.
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It was in August this year that PCA (Punjab Cricket Association) secretary Puneet Bali had requested former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh to come out of retirement and represent Punjab at least in one particular format.
Bali’s request had come on the back of an exodus of players from Punjab to other states primarily a newly-formed Chandigarh. In Yuvraj’s experience, Bali expected Punjab to have a world-class player who could guide the youngsters throughout a domestic tournament.
However, Yuvraj’s case isn’t as simple as it sounds. Post his retirement from international cricket last year, Yuvraj captained Toronto Nationals in the second season of the Global T20 League 2019 and represented Maratha Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10 League the same year.
The two-time World Cup winner also traveled to Australia to take part in the Bushfire relief match in addition to playing for India Legends in the Road Safety World Series earlier this year.
Yuvraj Singh SMAT 2021 team
Given BCCI’s tough stand on not allowing their players to play in overseas leagues, Yuvraj obtaining an NOC for the same post his retirement forbids him from playing any Indian domestic tournament.
Despite PCA and Yuvraj himself having written to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly regarding the matter, the cricket board has denied the 39-year old player a permission to represent Punjab after two years. The development means that the swashbuckling southpaw won’t be playing in the imminent season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy despite being named in Punjab’s probable squad.
It is worth mentioning that veteran spinner Pravin Tambe was denied a permission to represent Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently concluded 13th season of the Indian Premier League due to his involvement in the Caribbean Premier League earlier this year.
Had Yuvraj got the nod, it would have been unfair on Tambe and had set a wrong precedent for others. Earlier, there were reports of Yuvraj contemplating a Big Bash League debut this year but even that didn’t fruition.
As far as Punjab are concerned, Kings XI Punjab batsman Mandeep Singh will continue to lead the side in the tournament beginning from January 10. Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Gurkeerat Singh Mann has been retained in his role of a vice-captain.
Other than Mandeep and Gurkeerat, Punjab’s 20-member squad also comprises of international players such as Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul, Barinder Sran and Mayank Markande. Former India and Punjab fast bowler Manpreet Gony, who had represented Toronto Nationals under Yuvraj, has been elected as Punjab’s bowling coach.
Punjab team for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021
Mandeep Singh (c), Gurkeerat Mann (vc), Rohan Marwaha, Abhinav Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Anmol Malhotra, Sanvir Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Karan Kaila, Mayank Markande, Abhishek Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Siddharth Kaul, Barinder Sran, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Baltej Dhanda, Krishan, Gitansh Khera.
