Chief Selector Explains Why Yuvraj Singh Didn’t Make Indian Squad

BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary also commented on the recent pollution issue in smog-hit Delhi.

BCCI announced the Test squad to tour South Africa. 

(Photo: PTI)

After announcing the T20 squad for the Sri Lanka series as well the 17-member team to tour South Africa for a three-match Test rubber, the BCCI on 4 December said that Yuvraj Singh hadn’t been picked to play in the shorter format since he had fitness issues.

Yuvraj Singh has fitness issues. He has not played a lot of competitive cricket lately.

MSK Prasad, Chairman of Selectors

Talking about the recent pollution issue during India’s final Test against Sri Lanka in Delhi, the cricket board said that scheduling of matches in the pollution-mired national capital would be “considered” in the future.

Play was stopped on three occasions on Sunday, 3 December and the Sri Lankan team, struggling to match up to the Virat Kohli-led Indians for most of the series, wore anti-pollution masks, complaining of breathing problems at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

"Scheduling of matches in Delhi during this time of the year will be considered," BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters at the end of the third day's play in Delhi, when questions were raised about the city's viability as a venue given the rising pollution levels.

However, Chaudhary said Sri Lanka Cricket had not raised any such concerns when the itinerary was decided.

"If Sri Lanka Cricket had concerns regarding scheduling, they didn't express them to us," he added.

There was high drama at the stadium when Sri Lankan players' refusal to take the field forced an animated Kohli to declare at 536 for 7.

Sri Lankan interim coach Nic Pothas had later claimed that match referee David Boon had seen Suranga Lakmal and Dhananjaya De Silva vomiting when he paid a visit to the team's dressing room.

(With inputs from PTI.)

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