Time for Yuvraj to stand up and be counted

Yuvraj Singh was the costliest buy at the Indian Premier League auction this season, but has done little to justify his heavy price tag.

Bought for Rs 16 crore by Delhi Daredevils, he has scored just 124 runs in seven innings, at an average of 17.71, with just one half century to his name.

- Big IPL buys Yuvraj, Karthik struggling to get going

On Sunday, his batting was again exposed; he scored just two runs off five balls in Delhi's demoralising 10-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi.

However, despite his under par performances, Delhi Daredevils captain J P Duminy backed the star player saying it is unfair to single out anyone for the team's inconsistent run, which has seen them lose of their seven games.

- Starc, Gayle help Bangalore crush Delhi by 10 wickets

- Daredevils 'need to regroup' while RCB 'get combination right'

"It is easy to criticise him. He has not had great opportunities in the matches we have done well and I think he will be the first to admit that he would have loved to contribute, but it is not because of one guy's performance that we are losing.

"He is a massive player for us and I have all the confidence that he is going to come good for us in the later parts of the tournament," said the South African, who is in decent touch, scoring 222 runs at an average of 44.

While Yuvraj is yet to fire, another senior player Zaheer Khan is still to take the field for Daredevils amid rising speculation over the fast bowler's fitness.

Duminy said he will be available for the May 1 game against Kings XI Punjab.

"I think he (Zaheer) is about 95 percent fit, to be honest. My thinking is he will be up for selection for the game on the 1st. His progress has been good, he has been very determined to comeback and represent Delhi," said Duminy.

Image: Delhi Daredevils' Yuvraj Singh walks back after his dismissal against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Sunday

Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI