'Not doing justice to their talent' - Yuvraj Singh's massive ODI verdict on Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has raised significant concerns regarding the national team's selection approach in 50-over cricket, asserting that three talented young players — Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — are not receiving adequate opportunities. Speaking at the launch event of Protocol 32, Yuvraj, who has also served as a long-time mentor to Abhishek Sharma, highlighted what he perceives as a disservice to their potential.

Yuvraj's candid remarks, as quoted by NDTV Sports, articulated his strong belief: 'I would love to see him (Abhishek) in the ODIs, to be honest, and I have said this before that 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.' He emphasised the importance of balancing the development of emerging players with the demands of international cricket competition.

The selection records underscore Yuvraj's point. Ishan Kishan's last appearance in an ODI was on July 19, 2026, during a match against England. Critically, both Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite featuring in India's recent T20I squad for the New Zealand tour, have never been handed call-ups to the ODI setup. This absence from the longer white-ball format, despite their T20I exposure, illustrates the selective pathway for young talent.

Yuvraj acknowledged the inherent difficulties young players face in breaking into India's highly competitive ODI setup. He recognised that the sheer depth of talent available to the Indian team creates a challenging environment, making it arduous for emerging cricketers to secure consistent game time. Despite understanding these structural constraints, Yuvraj specifically credited Abhishek Sharma's achievements to his personal dedication and hard work, noting his efforts in developing skills and earning recognition at both domestic and international levels.

The former all-rounder's comments come ahead of India's upcoming 50-over assignment: a five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The first match is scheduled to be held at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4. The selection dynamics for this series, and how it addresses the concerns raised by Yuvraj Singh, will be a key point of observation for cricket enthusiasts and analysts.

What to watch: The composition of India's squad for the upcoming New Zealand ODI series and its implications for young talent.

Editor's note: The draft effectively incorporates all relevant details from the source text and provides a clear summary of Yuvraj Singh's views.