(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has offered a helping hand to the national team, saying that he is keen to mentor young players in the future.
Yuvraj reflected on India’s knockout curse as the side has lost multiple semi-finals and finals of the ICC events in the previous 10 years.
India last won an ICC trophy in 2013. Since then, they have come close to winning the title on many occasions but always ended up short. Most recently, the side led by Rohit Sharma got hammered in the ODI World Cup 2023 final by Australia, giving away a golden chance to end their trophy drought.
“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,” Yuvraj said as quoted while inaugurating ‘Yuvraj Centres of Excellence’ at Merlin Rise in Kolkata.
“In the coming years, we definitely 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,” he added.
Yuvraj, who was a primary factor behind India’s successful campaigns in the T20 World Cup 2007 and ODI World Cup 2011, expressed his willingness to mentor India in the future.
“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.
“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 really 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 also talked about the possibility of him coaching an IPL team.
“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 definitely to be part of one of the IPL teams, I’m definitely 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,” Yuvraj mentioned.