First-class giant Yashpal joins Manipur

Yashpal Singh, who earlier represented Services and Tripura, believes he can help the new side grow with his experience as a senior player.

Among his recent knocks, the two hundreds — 110 against Uttar Pradesh and 113* against Himachal Pradesh — in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017-18 stand out. 

Delhi-bred Yashpal Singh, who represented Tripura for two years, will now pad up for Manipur in the upcoming domestic season.

The 36-year-old all-rounder is the first professional cricketer to be signed by the Northeast side. Yashpal’s story, however, is bittersweet. 

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Despite scoring heavily for Tripura, the veteran of 117 first-class games was shown the door earlier this month without any notice.  “I was about to continue with Tripura only. I was expecting a call. I don’t know what happened from their side. I couldn’t understand what went wrong. I came to know in the middle of August, and that too, once I asked them.

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“They didn’t cite any reason. I was quite surprised. Being a senior cricketer, who is playing for 16 years, I deserve an explanation. So, when the Manipur offer came, I thought of taking it up. It’s a new team and people are also new. I could help them with my experience,” Yashpal told  Sportstar  on Wednesday.

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Among his recent knocks, the two hundreds — 110 against Uttar Pradesh and 113* against Himachal Pradesh — in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017-18 stand out.  “I don’t know any of the Manipur cricketers yet, but I am looking forward to it. This is a good move,” he added.

Yashpal, who is also a handy seam bowler, is expected to lead the young Manipur side.