Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh hints at mentorship for the Indian cricket Team in the future. The 42-year-old left-handed cricketer wants the men-in-blue to get mentally robust for the forthcoming ICC tournaments.
played a crucial role in Team India’s World Cup victory in 2007 and 2011. In 2019, the former Indian cricketer retired after contributing a legendary performance for 19 years.
Team India has never won any ICC trophy in the past 10 years. The Indian cricket team won its last ICC tournament in the form of the Champions Trophy 2013 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Here are a few instances of how Team India failed to clinch an ICC Trophy in the last 10 years, despite delivering their best performances in the league stages of the tournament, particularly after 2013:
- T20 World Cup 2014 (Finalist): Lost to Sri Lankaby 6 wickets
- ODI World Cup 2015 (Semi-finalist): Lost to Australia by 95 runs
- T20 World Cup 2016 (Semi-finalist): Lost to West Indies by 7 wickets
- Champions Trophy 2017 (Finalist): Lost to Pakistan by 180 runs
- ODI World Cup 2019 (Semi-finalist): Lost to New Zealandby 18 runs
- World Test Championship 2021 (Finalist): Lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets.
- T20 World Cup 2021: Didn’t qualify for the semi-finals
- T20 World Cup 2022 (Semi-finalist): Lost to England by 10 wickets
- World Test Championship 2023 (Finalist): Lost to Australia by 209 runs.
- ODI World Cup 2023 (Finalist): Lost to Australiaby 6 wickets
Especially, after losing the 2023 World Cup finals, many questions were raised about whether the Indian cricket team is mentally prepared to play in such big tournaments.
Why Yuvraj Singh hints at Mentorship: Expresses his confidence
The former star cricketer shared his wish to become a mentor of the Indian national cricket team in the upcoming years:
“Mentoring is one such thing I love to do. Also, I like to be a member of one of the Indian Premier League teams.
Let’s observe the opportunities I get. Right now, I prioritize my kids’ responsibility. After my children grow up and once they start school, I wish to return to cricket in the forthcoming years and assist the young players in improving their skills.
There is a lot much to contribute, especially in the middle order. I am confident that I can deal with the young players, by not only focussing on their techniques but also the mental issues that occur while playing cricket.”
Furthermore, Yuvraj Singh voiced about how he can prepare his team mentally to face tough challenges in the ICC tournaments:
“I feel that huge tournaments provide a lot of obstacles a player needs to overcome mentally. By believing in the mental aspect, I can certainly walk in and work with these individuals in the future.
Yuvraj Singh Hints at Mentorship for Team India: Shares his opinion about losing the finals in ICC tournaments
By highlighting the crucial facts, Yuvraj Singh hints at mentorship for the men-in-blue by pointing out that despite reaching the finals various times, the team couldn’t clinch an ICC Trophy:
“ I feel something is missing which forms the essence of our team’s performance. When any crucial moment arrives, our team is physically fit. But, mentally we need to make perfect decisions. I strongly believe what I was discussing- inspiring the young talents and guiding them on how to manage pressure and play their game. This has been our major challenge.
We have the game and we have certain talented players who can bat under pressurized situations. But, it isn’t a matter of one or two players. The entire team needs to do it.
Importantly, Yuvraj Singh stresses the significance of the Champions Trophy and World Cup:
“Despite making an appearance in several finals, we are yet to win a tournament when compared to the performance in the last 10 years. Specifically, I was a member of the Indian squad when the team lost to Pakistan in the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.”
The above statement indicates that apart from the Asia Cup in 2016 won under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, and in 2018 and 2023 led by Rohit Sharma, the team wasn’t able to maintain its momentum in any ICC tournament’s knockout stages.
Yuvraj Singh’s Comparison of World Cup Winning Titles: INDIA vs AUSTRALIA
Mainly, Yuvraj Singh makes a comparison of the World Cup winning titles between India and Australia:
“We’ll have to implement our best strategies. Consequently, we will start winning championships with clear shots.
Many times, India has crumbled under pressure. But look at the way Australia has been performing consistently. They have won 6 World Cup titles. Whereas, we have won only 2 winning titles.”
Notably, after 1983, India won its second World Cup in One Day Internationals format after 28 years, under MS Dhoni’s leadership in 2011 by triumphing Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.
Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra’s interesting Conversation:
During a recent event in Kolkata, Yuvraj Singh revealed a hilarious conversation which he had with the former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra:
“Previously, I requested a job with Mr. Ashish Nehra. But, he rejected it. So, let’s see where else can I find a suitable position. Until then, I need to balance perfectly.
Hereby, in the next years, I want to get back to cricket. I want to nurture the young players to improve their talent.
I believe that I can make substantial contributions to my team once again as a mentor.”
From the above conversation which he had with the Gujarat Titans Head coach, it becomes clear that Yuvraj Singh aims to support his team once again in the ICC tournaments.
Yuvraj Singh Hints at Mentorship: Overall Facts
Finally, Yuvraj Singh emphasizes his commitment to get back into cricket and navigate the rising talents to face huge challenges.
While inaugurating Yuvraj Centres of Excellence at Merlin Rise, Kolkata, the former all-rounder also revealed he wanted to mentor Gujarat Titans in IPL.
Conclusively, Yuvraj Singh hints at mentorship to make a meaningful contribution in the upcoming years. Fans are excited to watch if the World Cup-winning hero can once again create a sensation for his team as a mentor