Ex-Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh hints at a mentoring role to prepare Team India for the challenges ahead
January 13, World Cup-winning hero Yuvraj Singh hinted at a potential mentorship role in the future to mentally prepare the Indian cricket team for the challenges ahead. India has waited endlessly in their quest for an ICC trophy, with the team suffering another defeat in the 2023 World Cup final against Australia last year.
India won the Champions Trophy under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2013, while their last World Cup triumph came in 2011.
The 42-year-old said while inaugurating 'Yuvraj Centres of Excellence' that "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. In the coming years, we definitely need to work on, as a country and as an Indian team, performing better under pressure.
Yuvraj added, "Australia has won six World Cups, and we have won two. How we win major championships is something we need to work on.”
Expressing concern, he 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 playing 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."