Yuvraj hopes Ganguly will help Pune

His side languishing at the bottom of the points table, Pune Warriors captain Yuvraj Singh on Saturday said that they are now looking forward to former India captain Sourav Ganguly to restore some pride in their Indian Premier League campaign.

"Hopefully, he will get us a win. It's good to have him back. I just feel someone who has been captain of Indian team for a long time can always help the youngsters. Hopefully, he will hit few sixes with the bat," Yuvraj said ahead of Pune Warriors' match against his former team Kings XI Punjab at Mohali.

With the likes of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman featuring in the IPL, Yuvraj said there was no reason why Ganguly should not be part of the lucrative Twenty20 league.

Asked how he sees Ganguly playing under him in a sort of role reversal, Yuvraj said, "It feels great that Sourav is playing under me. He has always helped me as a captain (of the Indian team) and now it's my duty to help him."

Yuvraj said his side would play their best to break the string of successive defeats.

"Hope to get a win as soon as possible. It's a must win situation from here on. We have tried various combinations but unfortunately they haven't clicked. But, now with Sourav Ganguly on our side we are hoping to get back to winning ways," said Yuvraj after team practice session at Sector 16 cricket stadium here.

"We won first two matches with same combination but it does not works always. Somebody has to score down the order also. Moreover, we have specialist openers and Jesse Ryder has been doing well," he reasoned.

Yuvraj said he is "hoping to turn the tide" at his home ground against the team which he once led.

All eyes on Sunday would be on Ganguly, who replaced injured Ashish Nehra in the side. It will have to be seen whether the experienced left-hander, who might play on Sunday, is able to boost the sagging morale of the team.

Pune had a rollicking start to their campaign and Yuvraj led the new franchise to an emphatic win against his erstwhile team Kings XI Punjab, but the seven losses on the trot after two wins have been demoralising.

After being cold-shouldered by Kolkata Knight Riders, the 38-year-old Ganguly has a point to prove and going by the number of hours he put in at the nets, he could be expected to play on Sunday.

On Saturday also, he batted for a long session, but did not oblige the mediapersons who waited for hours to have him speak a few words.