Making of the new-improved Yuvraj Singh

Punjab Ranji coach Bhupinder Singh Sr. spent a few fidgety moments one evening last November as the team members trudged into the hall of a Meerut hotel. As the boys settled down on the dining table, a sense of anxiety gripped Bhupinder. It was getting close to 8.30 pm, the deadline to assemble for the team’s dinner-bonding session. Among the players who hadn’t arrived yet was Yuvraj Singh.

But before the former fast bowler’s fears of reading out the riot act to a senior player who the boys looked up to surfaced, Yuvraj walked in with a broad smile. It wasn’t half-past eight yet. If the coach had an iota of worry over the kind of influence Yuvraj, then a shadow of his imperious self and yet to show signs of reform, would have on his team, it vanished.

Like everyone else, the coach had heard of Yuvraj’s habit of painting the town red after sunset.

So when he didn’t venture out but joined the group to play a game of table tennis, Bhupinder’s fears were put to rest. Yuvraj was one of the most enthusiastic paddlers. He lifted the spirit in the side, his quick-wit ensured there were many rounds of laughter.

This was the time when questions over Yuvraj’s form, fitness, after he overcame a spate of injuries, were flying thick and fast. He had lost his place in the Test side.

Though he had regained his spot in the One-day squad after being ignored for the Asia Cup, but the runs weren’t flowing like they once did. A week later Yuvraj Singh was demoted to Grade B on the list of contracted players. Those who watched him from the outside believed that Yuvraj had lost his passion and hunger to play at the highest level.

Posted in: Yuvraj Singh