- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 13 Jan 2024 09:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Yuvraj Singh, the former star Indian all-rounder, has been at the forefront of highlighting the Men in Blues' problems in the ICC tournaments over the years.
This time it looks like Yuvraj himself wants to step in to contribute to finding the solution to the reason for the Indian team's struggle in the ICC tournaments since 2013.
While India haven't won any ICC trophy after the Champions Trophy win in 2013 despite reaching the knockout stage multiple times, Yuvraj has hinted at a potential mentorship role in the future to mentally prepare the Indian cricket team for the challenges ahead.
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Having been on the losing side in the finals and semifinals of ICC tournaments on a number of occasions, the year 2023 was nothing different as they suffered defeats in the finals of the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup 2023, both against Australia.
“I feel that we have played a lot of finals but not won one. I was part of one of the finals when we lost to Pakistan in 2017,” the 42-year-old said while inaugurating ‘Yuvraj Centres of Excellence’ at Merlin Rise here.
“In the coming years, we need to work on, as a country and as an Indian team, performing better under pressure.
“Australia have won six World Cups, and we have (won) two. How we win major championships is something we need to work on,” added Yuvraj.
Talking about disappointments in ICC tournaments, India have lost two consecutive World Test Championship finals (2021, 2023) and exited the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups at the semifinal stage.
India, after emerging champions in the 2007 T20 World Cup, was ousted in the 2014 final and lost in the last four stages of the 2016 and 2022 editions.
Expressing concern, Yuvraj said, “I feel, yes, there is something (missing). When the big moment comes, our physical preparation is there, but mentally we need to make those decisions.
“I think, that is something I was talking about — motivating the young guys, teaching them how to handle pressure and play their game. That’s been our challenge. We have the game, and we have guys who can bat under pressure, but the whole team has to do that, not just one or two guys.
It is to be noted that Yuvraj was part of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 WC and ODI World Cup at home in 2011 as the star all-rounder played key roles in both tournaments.
Having retired from international cricket in June 2019, Yuvraj expressed his wish for mentoring and is open to giving it back to the game in the coming years.
“Mentoring is something I love to do. In the coming years, when my kids are settled, I want to give back to cricket and help the young guys get better. I think we face a lot of mental challenges in big tournaments. I believe in the mental aspect, I can come in and work with these guys in the future.
“I feel that I can contribute a lot, especially in the middle order. I have the confidence to work with the young guys, addressing not only their technique but also the mental challenges that come with cricket.”
Yuvraj indicated that he would like to be a mentor of an IPL franchise before taking over a more responsible role going ahead.
“Let’s see what opportunities I get, but my priority is my kids right now. Once they start school, I will have more time. so I can pick up (coaching). I love working with the young guys, especially my state boys, and I feel that mentoring is something that I would love to do, and, to be part of one of the IPL teams, I’m looking at.
“I asked Mr. Ashish Nehra (Gujarat Titans) for a job, but he declined it. So, let’s see where else I can get a position, but at the moment, I have to balance.” “So, definitely in the coming years, I want to give back to cricket and help the young guys get better. I can contribute a lot.”