Yuvraj Singh: I still have a couple of playing years left in me

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

Yuvraj Singh still harbours hopes of playing again for India and continuing his destructive form in the IPL to offset thoughts of retirement for the time being.

The left-handed batsman, 36, has been cut adrift from the national side after the emergence of Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav, but is adamant he can still perform at the highest level.

“I am still playing because I am enjoying playing cricket,” Yuvraj told Sportstar Live, “not just because I have to play for India or I have to play the IPL. The motivation is definitely to play for India. I feel two or three IPLs are left in me.

Signed to play in this year’s IPL by Kings XI Punjab, Yuvraj has played 402 times for India across all three formats and made an emotional return in 2012 after overcoming a rare form of lung cancer. Alluding to retirement, he said he would endeavour to support people diagnosed with the disease through his foundation while also admitting a career in coaching is not out of the question.

“Commentating is not my forte. Cancer (YouWeCan Foundation) is going to be my area of work in the future. I love supporting young kids, I like interacting with the younger generation.

“Coaching is in my mind. I would identify underprivileged kids and focus on their sport and education. Education is as important as sport. You need to focus on both. Sport should not come at the cost of education,” said the one time Yorkshire player.