Officially retired from international cricket on Monday (June 9), former India batsman Yuvraj Singh is likely to be given permission from BCCI for plying his trade in overseas T20 leagues from here on, as per reports. However, the 37-year-old hasn't yet formally written to the board seeking approval in this regard.
"He (Yuvraj) has not yet written to the board and once he does that, then only we can consider his case. But since he will not be playing the IPL, there is little ground for not giving him the permission. Retired players of his stature have been allowed to play outside India," a BCCI official told PTI.
The Indian cricket board has never allowed its active players to take part in T20 leagues other than the IPL. Perhaps, that is why Yuvi bid adieu to his career at the highest level and made himself available for tournaments across the globe.
Retirees Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan were allowed to be part of the T10 League in the UAE. "If Sehwag can play overseas after retirement, I don't see an issue with Yuvraj doing the same. He is a retired player now and his contribution to Indian cricket is immense and should be valued always," the official added.
Irfan Pathan, last month, became the first Indian player to be included in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draft. But he remains an active first-class cricketer for Baroda and didn't take prior permission from the BCCI.
Two years ago, the board had also reticent Yusuf Pathan's NOC for participation in Hong Kong T20.
Announcing his retirement in Mumbai via a press conference, Yuvraj had said, "I want to play T20 cricket. At this age, I can manage to play some kind of fun cricket. I want to go and enjoy my life. It's been too stressful just thinking about my international career, performing and big tournaments like the IPL."
"Now I would like to enjoy myself. With BCCI's permission, I would like to go and play. Just have fun for this year and maybe next year, whatever is left in me. It's been a very long and hard journey and I think I deserve that."
