Birmingham: “Sir zindagi bach gayi humari, who sabse badi baat hain (I am alive and that is the biggest thing for me),” Yuvraj Singh smirked when asked if he has any regrets on the eve of his landmark 300th ODI appearance.
It was a roundabout way of asking about his not so great Test record, but a veteran of more than ‘300 press conferences’ would have known what was coming his way. He would have nothing of that sort, especially when he has hit cancer for a ‘six’.
Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against Bangladesh, the dashing left-hander wanted to be in a zone which is miles away from any kind of negativity.
“I don’t want to talk about my regrets when I am in a good zone. I am playing well and would continue for a few more years. As long as I am performing, I would like to play,” Yuvraj said, making it clear that the 2019 World Cup is still in his mind.
Yuvraj also pointed out that getting the India jersey may not be very difficult, but wearing it for 17 years, demands determination of a different level along with copious amount of self belief.
“It’s not difficult to play for India but sustaining is tough. You need to have determination and self belief is important. When things are not going well, people will have a lot of opinions and you need to believe in yourself; it’s a matter of time you can do it again,” said one of India’s greatest match-winners.
He was in a jovial mood and when asked what are the do’-s and don’t-s of those aspiring to play for India, he replied: “Among the ‘do-s’ it is important to stick to the process and train as hard as possible. Among the don’t-s will be to stay away from media.”
One could feel a sense of achievement in his response as he spoke. For Yuvraj, his biggest attribute according to him, is the ‘never give it up’ attitude.
“I think my biggest quality has been never to give up, pushing no matter what obstacles came in my life. I always advise younger guys to never back down and always keep on working with same intensity, irrespective of whether you are having a good time or bad time,” Yuvraj stated. “Be persistent, be consistent and focus on the process of the game,” he added.
Asked to pick memorable matches in his ODI career, Yuvraj rated the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal against Australia (57 and 2/44) as his best, followed by the 84 in his very second ODI against Australia in Nairobi in 2000.
Press Trust of India
