KOLKATA: Yuvraj Singh has always been aggressive, whether it was while batting or talking. The former India allrounder spoke to TOI at the launch of the Yuvraj Singh Centre of Excellence.
Excerpts…
Given that Hardik Pandya is injury-prone, is it a gamble to project him as future India captain?
Hardik is a very important member of the team and India need him. He is injury prone and we need to give him time to recuperate and settle down. We have to get the best out of him. As for captaincy, we need to have more options. There is Suryakumar Yadav, who has been captaining India in T20Is. There is Shubman Gill, who be captain in IPL.
Did Mumbai Indians jump the gun by replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik as the captain?
In franchise cricket, it always gets tough as you get old. Every franchise is always looking to promote a young player on whom they have spent a lot, and that is only fair. I have faced this situation too. But then, there can’t be a replacement for experience. Rohit has huge experience and has delivered. But a franchise has to think long term.
Is R Ashwin getting a raw deal in white-ball cricket?
Ashwin is a great bowler but I don’t think he deserves a place in ODIs and T20s. He is very good with the ball, but what does he bring with the bat? Or as a fielder? In the Test team, yes, he should be there. But in white-ball cricket, I don’t think he deserves a place.
Should India look beyond Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the shortest format?
A number of young players have been doing very well in T20s. Having said that, there can be no replacement for experience either.
Excerpts…
Given that Hardik Pandya is injury-prone, is it a gamble to project him as future India captain?
Hardik is a very important member of the team and India need him. He is injury prone and we need to give him time to recuperate and settle down. We have to get the best out of him. As for captaincy, we need to have more options. There is Suryakumar Yadav, who has been captaining India in T20Is. There is Shubman Gill, who be captain in IPL.
Did Mumbai Indians jump the gun by replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik as the captain?
In franchise cricket, it always gets tough as you get old. Every franchise is always looking to promote a young player on whom they have spent a lot, and that is only fair. I have faced this situation too. But then, there can’t be a replacement for experience. Rohit has huge experience and has delivered. But a franchise has to think long term.
Is R Ashwin getting a raw deal in white-ball cricket?
Ashwin is a great bowler but I don’t think he deserves a place in ODIs and T20s. He is very good with the ball, but what does he bring with the bat? Or as a fielder? In the Test team, yes, he should be there. But in white-ball cricket, I don’t think he deserves a place.
Should India look beyond Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the shortest format?
A number of young players have been doing very well in T20s. Having said that, there can be no replacement for experience either.
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