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Yuvraj learning the virtues of patience

S. Dinakar

Captaincy matures you as a person and a cricketer

— Photo: V. Ganesan

METHOD in THE MADNESS: The captain of Kings XI Punjab Yuvraj Singh believes there is more to Twenty20 than just big-hitting.

Chennai: There he was, drifting back after a practice session. It was a typically sultry summer evening and he was soaked in sweat. Then, he stopped again, remembering a final stretching routine.

The calm at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium contrasted sharply with a stormy night at the Adelaide Oval earlier this year when Yuvraj Singh, upset over ‘unfair criticism’, breathed fire during a media conference after a decisive stroke-filled effort.

Now, in a quieter setting, the angry young man was at peace with himself. He even smiled at an old friend from the media!

With Yuvraj, what you see is what you get. He is honest and direct, doesn’t talk behind someone’s back, doesn’t nurse grudges. In fact, his persona is much like his batting — there are no half measures.

The man with a liking for action, speed and tempo is also learning the virtues of patience.

“When I was young, I wanted to do everything that Sachin Tendulkar did, in a single day. Cricket is teaching me to be patient.

“For some success comes early, for others, it comes late. Look at Matthew Hayden,” he told The Hindu.

The Kings XI Punjab captain is enjoying the IPL ride and the vibrancy of Twenty20 cricket. Predictably, he is not pleased at those who call this format a ‘hit or miss’ affair.

Smart cricket

“Those who do not understand this format will say this. Actually, you require to play smart cricket. You need to have a clear idea before you walk in to bat.

“I would not call it pre-meditation but you need to have a plan and execute it quickly. There is little time to settle down. It’s not about the big hits alone,” he adds.

He relishes being at the helm for the Kings XI, “It has been a learning experience. You need to take on responsibility. It matures you as a person and a cricketer,” says Yuvraj.

Lot of passion

Team India’s ODI vice-captain then switches his attention to the side’s historic success in the Australian tri-series.

“We had youngsters in the side and this lifted the fielding levels. The Harbhajan incident got the team together. We played with a lot of passion and pride, were not intimidated by the opposition.”

He talks about his chemistry with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the atmosphere in a largely young dressing room.

“Dhoni and myself got the young bunch to open up and there was a free exchange of views during the team-meetings. This increased the confidence levels of the youngsters.

“We played fearless cricket under pressure. It is a very lively dressing room. I get along well with Dhoni, who too is a straight-talking guy. He’s been a good captain, cool under pressure,” he says.

Exciting talent

The depth of young talent in the country pleases Yuvraj.

“Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla, they are all very exciting cricketers.”

The explosive left-hander realises he has to make a mark in Tests to be acknowledged a complete cricketer.

“I admit, I have not been consistent in Test cricket. But I have also not played regular Test cricket.

“It has been kind of start, stop and start again routine. I have played two Tests here, two there. I became consistent in one-day cricket only after winning a regular place in the eleven,” he says.

Learning all the time

Yuvraj realises the need to work on his footwork. Admits the southpaw, “I am learning all the time. It was ironical that when I was not in the best of forms in Australia, I actually was using my feet better against Muralitharan.”

His 1050 runs in 23 Tests at 32.81 include three hundreds, one of which was made on a seaming, green, first-day pitch in Lahore, in 2004, against a rampant Umar Gul.

Sadly, the natural middle-order batsman soon found himself opening the innings and his Test career suffered.

Yuvraj realises that cricket can be a rough ride. Paradoxically, the man with the big shots is banking on patience.

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