Sources tell mid-day that Indian all-rounder and 2011 World Cup hero's exclusion from 2015 squad was a given despite his recent Ranji Trophy form and injury to Ravindra Jadeja
Yuvraj Singh of India appeals successfully against Netherlands' Wesley Barresi during the 2011 ICC World Cup Group B match in Delhi on March 9, 2011
The national selection committee respects Yuvraj Singh for being an impact player, but according to sources, the player of the tournament at the 2011 World Cup, was not even discussed at yesterday's selection committee meeting.
Yuvraj Singh of India appeals successfully against Netherlands' Wesley Barresi during the 2011 ICC World Cup Group B match in Delhi on March 9, 2011. Pic/Getty Images
Sandeep Patil & Co met in Mumbai yesterday to finalise the World Cup squad after releasing a list of 30 probables last month. Yuvraj was not part of the probables, but there was a fair bit of talk in the media that he may be considered going by his three consecutive Ranji Trophy hundreds for Punjab and given Ravindra Jadeja's shoulder injury.
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The selectors, who also spoke to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher via videoconference yesterday, went into the meeting well aware of the downsides relating to Yuvraj — problems with short-pitched deliveries, Australian wickets and not exactly a livewire in the field anymore.
It was reported in these columns last month that current in-form Test opener Murali Vijay could be part of the final team if he got runs in Australia, which indeed is the case.
Murali Vijay nearly made it
"Vijay came very close to selection but then he was sent as a replacement for an injured Rohit Sharma during the ODI series in England last year, he was not played. Vijay has a tendency to go into his shell so the selectors did not want to take a chance," said a source.
"The thrust of the selection was on the players, who had performed in the last 10 months in one-day cricket and on that basis, players were picked. Shikhar Dhawan has got a lot of runs and so has Ambati Rayudu.
And Stuart Binny has been a consistent performer too. We need an all-rounder like him in the team just like Australia has Shane Watson." It is learnt that Stuart's selector father Roger left the committee room when his son was being discussed.
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