World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh sees no issue with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making a return to T20 cricket after a 14-month break, considering the upcoming World Cup. The duo has been included in the ongoing three-match T20 series against Afghanistan, India's final international assignment before the World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean.
While their return sparked a debate on whether it was a progressive move, Yuvraj dismissed the discussion, quoting the lyrics of a famous Kishore Kumar song: "Kuchh toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna" (People will say something; it's people's job to talk). His response emphasized the importance of ignoring critics and focusing on the task at hand.
Yuvraj acknowledged the workload management aspect for players participating in all three formats and praised Rohit Sharma as a great captain, highlighting his achievements in the IPL and leading the team to the World Cup final.
When asked about the potential captaincy for the T20 World Cup, Yuvraj mentioned that it's the selectors' call and depends on Hardik Pandya's fitness. Regarding a possible ego clash between Rohit and Pandya, Yuvraj suggested that if there were any issues, the players should communicate and resolve them for the benefit of the team.
Reflecting on his own career, Yuvraj expressed a minor regret about not playing more than 40 Tests but emphasized that being a team player and giving 100 percent was more important to him. He acknowledged the challenges of the era with strong competition for batting positions. Yuvraj also commented on captaincy, stating that becoming a captain is an honor and depends on destiny, with no regrets about not holding the captaincy during his career.
Yuvraj Singh Hints at Mentoring Role to Prepare Team India for Challenges Ahead
World Cup-winning hero Yuvraj Singh hinted at a potential mentorship role to mentally prepare the Indian cricket team for upcoming challenges. While inaugurating 'Yuvraj Centres of Excellence' at Merlin Rise, he expressed the need for India to perform better under pressure in major championships.
Having been part of finals where India fell short, including the 2017 loss to Pakistan, Yuvraj stressed the importance of mental preparation and decision-making in crucial moments. He emphasized the necessity of the entire team handling pressure, not just individual players.
Yuvraj, who faced mental challenges in his own career, expressed a desire to contribute, especially in the middle order. He highlighted his interest in mentoring and teaching young players not only about technique but also about handling the mental aspects of the game. With a focus on motivating and guiding the youth, Yuvraj sees himself playing a significant role in the future.
While currently prioritizing his family, Yuvraj hinted at becoming a mentor for an IPL side when he has more time. Despite expressing interest to Mr. Ashish Nehra for a role in Gujarat Titans, Yuvraj acknowledged the need to balance his commitments. He remains enthusiastic about giving back to cricket and helping young players improve, emphasizing his potential contributions both on and off the field.
(With Agency Inputs)
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