Delhi Capitals assistant and batting coach Yuvraj Singh wants to bring back the belief that the franchise can qualify for the IPL playoffs and compete for the title. He will work alongside head coach Sourav Ganguly, with the duo aiming to build a team that can handle pressure and challenge any opponent.

Delhi Capitals are yet to win an IPL title since the tournament began in 2008. Their last appearance in the playoffs came in the 2021 season, when they reached the final four.

Yuvraj believes the team has enough talent to turn things around and says the first step is to restore confidence in the dressing room.

“We definitely have the ability, and that’s why Dada and I are coming in — to bring that belief back. Our first target is to qualify, but we are here to win the championship, and I don’t see why we can’t do that,” Yuvraj said in a release from the franchise.

“Just because it hasn’t happened in the past doesn’t mean it can’t happen in the future. We want to build a squad and an energy that is ready to fight, take on any opposition, and perform in any situation.”

Yuvraj Singh Backs Delhi Capitals’ Batting Strength

Yuvraj believes Delhi Capitals have enough quality in their squad and do not need to make major changes to their combinations. Instead, he wants the players to trust their abilities and perform with greater confidence.

“I want to help the boys play better cricket, perform under pressure, and build a squad that believes in itself. I’m here to put my heart and soul into the franchise.”

He also stressed that players must understand why they have been picked and trust the team’s decision to back them.

“At this level, everybody is skilled and brings something different to the table. But I come from a place where self-belief is extremely important,” he said.

“If a franchise has selected you and given you a position in the squad, it means they believe in you. You have to believe that you belong there. That comes through practice, awareness of the game, and playing matches. We will work on these things as a team.”

The former India all-rounder also named some of the players he believes can make a difference for Delhi Capitals, highlighting KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma.

“KL Rahul is a solid player whom I’ve watched for a long time, and Tristan Stubbs is very exciting. There are also players like Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma, who are very good hitters.”

Yuvraj added that the team would focus on finding the right combination, with an emphasis on batting depth, bowling quality and fielding.

“We have good batting resources, but we need to work on the right team combination and make the side stronger and more versatile, with deeper batting, quality bowling, and good fielding,” he said.

Yuvraj Singh Recalls Sourav Ganguly’s Offer

Yuvraj also revealed that he did not think twice before accepting Ganguly’s offer to join the Delhi Capitals coaching staff. The two share a long association from their playing days with the Indian team.

“‘Would you be my assistant?’ And I was like, ‘I’ve been your assistant for the last 25 years, so I’ll probably be doing the same job!’ I was very happy to do it,” Yuvraj recalled.

The former India all-rounder said he had spent the last three to four years preparing himself for a coaching role. While he has worked with individual players, being part of an entire team set-up will be a new experience.

“I’ve been building myself up over the last three to four years for this opportunity. I have worked with players individually, but being part of the entire team environment will be a different experience.”

Yuvraj Credits Ganguly For Building Team Spirit

Yuvraj also spoke about the influence Ganguly had on him during his early years in international cricket. He credited the former India captain with bringing players together and helping them believe they could compete with the best teams in the world.

“The best thing I learnt from Dada was how to create a good team environment. When he was captain and I made my debut, he kept us together,” Yuvraj said.

“He made us believe that we could become a great team and win tournaments outside India. He has always been like a big brother to me, whether it was helping me understand selection, mentoring me, or showing me what it takes to become a good international cricketer,” he added.

With Ganguly leading the coaching set-up and Yuvraj working closely with the players, Delhi Capitals will hope to turn their potential into consistent performances and make a stronger push for their maiden IPL title.


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