People only look at the money you've fetched, not the level of pressure and scrutiny that prize tag brings on a player, said former India batsman Yuvraj Singh, recalling how he felt when bought at whopping sums to play the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) for various franchises.
Yuvraj, the 2011 World Cup winner, remains the most expensive buy in the history of the IPL auctions for going at 16 crores to Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) ahead of the 2015 season, where he only managed 248 runs at 19.07 in 14 matches.
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"The pressure is felt because of the big money. I won’t say it changes a player. Now when you climb the success ladder, people try to drag you down," said the 38-year-old during an Instagram live chat session with his former teammate Mohammad Kaif.
"See the point is...pressure is there because when you get out and don’t perform they say he is getting so much money and not performing," Yuvraj added. "Negative news sells more and those things affect you. My advice to all youngsters would be to stay away from TV and newspapers."
Yuvraj and Kaif go a long way, of course, with their exploits in the field and the bat, being friends and integral parts of the Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team at the beginning of the century.
"I was very athletic. I was quick. But fielding I did not have too much idea. In the first Ranji match I was playing, I was 15-16 years. I misfielded and next day article came out Yuvraj Singh ‘gateway of India’."
"My father read that. He said now I will see how you don’t improve your fielding. Then I started getting better and body also got stronger," said Yuvraj on his fielding.
The duo was involved in a famous partnership that turned the 2002 Natwest Trophy final on its head and pulled off victory for India from the jaws of defeat.
"My lesson from that game was that you can’t relax at any time. England had thought they had won the game. You can’t give up. You have to keep trying," said Yuvraj, recollecting thoughts on that incredible 121-run sixth-wicket stand, which helped India recover from 146/5 to chase down the mammoth 326-run target.
(Inputs from IANS)
