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Speculations may be rife that Yuvraj Singh's career is nearing the end but chief selector MSK Prasad clarified that the national team's door is still open for the senior cricketer.
The national selectors ignored the 36-year-old Yuvraj for the ODI series in Sri Lanka, a tough but fair call, indicating their mindset going into the 2019 World Cup in England.
The selectors' decision has created murmurs that Yuvraj may not be seen again in a blue jersey.
Citing tennis legend Andre Agassi's example, whose career literally took off after 30, Prasad said if Yuvraj keeps on delivering he has every chance of making it to the team despite age and fitness not being on his side.
"Whenever a player keeps ageing, for example, I was just reading Agassi's book, Open, his life actually started after 30 years. Till then he won two or three titles. His actual life started after that. He lived with media pressure, 'When are you going to retire?' But he played till 36 and he won so many Grand Slams. So you never know," the former India stumper said.
"We don't say it is an automatic thing but we are all stakeholders. We all want the Indian team to do well. If he is delivering, why not? If he is not, we will have to look at alternatives," Prasad added.
The chief selector also talked about youngsters' performances in 'A' tours, whilst commending the job done by India 'A' coach Rahul Dravid in preparing their step up to the senior team.
“Personally, joy has no limit when we saw in a year's time the way Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have shaped up," said Prasad.
Praising Dravid for nurturing young talents, Prasad said Indian cricket couldn't have asked for a better mentor than the former captain.
"We pick the best possible team but it is being nurtured very well by Rahul Dravid. I think India is very blessed to have Dravid at 'A' level. He is giving finished products to the senior team," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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