Yuvraj Singh urges inclusion of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India’s ODI squad

Former star backs the next generation

Former India all‑rounder Yuvraj Singh said the talent pool for 50‑over cricket is being under‑utilised. Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of an event, he named Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as players who deserve a regular place in the ODI side.

"If we are not picking guys like Ishan Kishan, Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 50‑over cricket, then somewhere down the line we are not doing justice to their talent," Yuvraj told reporters.

Why the call matters

• Mentorship – Yuvraj has mentored Abhishek Sharma for several years and credits the youngster’s hard work for his recent success.
• Experience vs opportunity – The former all‑rounder acknowledged that a strong pool of senior players makes it harder for newcomers to break in, but he believes the current form of the three youngsters warrants selection.
• Recent performance – In the third T20I against New Zealand, Abhishek Sharma scored a rapid 113 off 38 balls, earning the Player of the Match award and helping India win by six wickets.

The 12‑ball fifty challenge

After the innings, Yuvraj posted a light‑hearted challenge on social media, asking when Abhishek would hit a fifty in just 12 balls. The young opener responded during the award ceremony:

"I don’t know what cricket he was playing back at that time, but it’s not that easy at all. You can’t just go and score 50 off 12 balls. It just happens once in a while."

Yuvraj’s comment was clearly playful, and Abhishek made it clear that such a feat is extremely rare.

Practical implications

• Selection watch – If the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces an upcoming ODI series, fans can monitor the squad list for any of the three names.
• Performance tracking – Consistent domestic and IPL performances will strengthen their case; analysts suggest looking at recent scores in the Ranji Trophy and IPL.
• Verification – Official squad announcements are posted on the BCCI website and verified social media handles (Twitter @BCCI, Instagram @bcci). Those are the reliable sources to confirm whether Yuvraj’s wish translates into a call‑up.

Bottom line

Yuvraj Singh’s public endorsement adds pressure on selectors to give Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a fair shot in the 50‑over format. While senior players still dominate the lineup, the trio’s recent form—especially Sharma’s explosive T20I knock—makes a compelling case for inclusion.