Yuvraj Singh roars back to form: Veteran all-rounder continues to fight for India spot

New Delhi: It's all about timing. Days after missing the India cut, Yuvraj Singh on Thursday reminded everyone that there's enough fire left in him.

After 14 irrelevant first-class innings, Yuvraj roared back to form with a brilliant, unbeaten 164 against Madhya Pradesh as Punjab posted a record 347 for 3 on the first day in a Ranji Trophy match in Lahli.

His knock is a gentle reminder to the Indian selectors that the celebrated all-rounder can still pack punch or two. It was his 25th first-class hundred. During his 241-ball stay, the left-handed batsman hit 24 boundaries.

The 34-year-old was ignored for the first three One-Day International matches against the visiting New Zealand team, and by the look of things, he's unlikely to find a place in the 15-member squad for the remaining two matches too.

 

25th FC Hundred from Yuvi paaji!. Batting on 128* off 196 balls !! - @aneeshyuvi

A video posted by Yuvraj Singh (@yuvrajsinghfc) on Oct 13, 2016 at 3:11am PDT

But the veteran all-rounder is giving himself a chance by staying relevant in the domestic season.

Today, he started slowly, shrugging off rustiness, then went onto punish Madhya Pradesh bowlers.

At the end of day's play, he was involved in an unbeaten stand of 152 runs with another India discard Gurkeerat Singh (101 off 102 balls).

For the record, Punjab's Day 1 total surpassed the previous highest opening day score of 339 for 7 by Haryana, against Rajasthan earlier this year.

India will play New Zealand in a five-match ODI series, starting October 16 at Dharamsala.

The Indian board already announced a 15-member team for the first three matches, with Suresh Raina making a comeback.

Yuvaraj last played an ODI in December 2013. And his fans will be hoping for yet another comeback from one of India's most beloved cricketers.

The multiple World Cup winner has so far played 293 ODI matches, scoring 8329 with 13 hundreds, besides taking 111 wickets.