People shouldn't forget what we seniors have done for Team India: Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh's six-week training in France has made him fitter, intense and much more focused on his plans of staging an Indian comeback. The 31-year-old all-rounder will compete with several young guns in the next 18 months and wants form to prevail over reputation when the final World Cup squad is chosen.
- Shubhodeep Chakravarty
- Updated: August 24, 2013 08:45 AM IST
Yuvraj Singh has endured a topsy-turvy 2013. Returning to the cricket field after battling cancer needed a stupendous effort but when form deserts a sportsperson, you become a nobody. Injuries only added salt to wound and as a clutch of newcomers emerged, Yuvraj paled into insignificance.
Friday saw a new Yuvraj. A more determined and a visibly fitter Yuvi turned up in a Delhi hotel for his first media interaction after returning from a grueling six-week training session in France. The 31-year-old all-rounder, who was the hero of India's 2011 World Cup triumph, was his usual charismatic self, handling questions with his trademark swagger. Excerpts from the chat:
On why he chose France over training in the National Cricket Academy: After my cancer, I worked very hard at the NCA. But there came a time when I wanted to get away from it all. There are too many distractions in India and I did not want any. France was ideal because I had a completely new set-up there - different environment, different food, different training. It was working with a purpose and I achieved all my fitness and training objectives in the six weeks there. Now I feel healthy in my mind. I feel healthy inside because it's taken a lot of time for my body to heal. I am smiling from within now and that's a very good feeling. (Read: Yuvraj's training regime in France)
On having Zaheer Khan by his side and training with him: Zak is a great guy and we have been great friends since we started playing together for the Indian team (in 2000). So, having him around was superb. Both of us kept pushing each other hard which helped a lot. Zaheer himself lost 6 kgs and is in great shape now. I have no doubt that he will fire on all cylinders on the cricket field. (Watch: Yuvi, Zak sweat it out in France)
On Dhoni saying age is just a number, what matters is form and fitness: What I feel is that the best players should feature in the national team. It is great to see youngsters in the side performing well. It is a great way forward for India. I do, however, feel that a balance between seniors and youngsters can help secure wins. People shouldn't forget what we (seniors) have done.
On his comeback plans: The most important thing for me currently is to play for India. I will play whatever cricket I get and will do all to get a place back in the Indian XI. It will be a dream to play the 2015 World Cup and hope the best possible combination is chosen.
(Note: Yuvraj Singh's last ODI way in February this year when he played against England in Dharamsala - a match in which he failed to score. Even in the Indian Premier League, he opted out of captaining Pune Warriors and his performance was hardly impressive - 8th highest Pune scorer with 238 runs at an average of 19.83. Flashback video: Is Yuvi unhappy in Pune?)