Yuvraj Singh’s message for India Under-19 boys

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018 will begin from January 13 in New Zealand.

Prithvi Shaw will lead India in 2018 Under-19 World Cup | Getty

As a cricketer, India’s veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has tasted the success of all the major ICC events, be it the 2007 World T20 or 2011 Cricket World Cup. In fact, Yuvraj was also a part of India’s 2002 ICC Champions Trophy team which shared the trophy with Sri Lanka since the final match was rained out on two successive days.

Even before that, the 35-year-old had tasted the global success at another stage. He was a part of Mohammad Kaif-led India Under-19 side that had won the World Cup in 2000. Moreover, Yuvi was the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in that particular U19 World Cup held in Sri Lanka.

As the 2018 edition of U19 World Cup coming up in a month time, Yuvraj has spoken about the tournament and how it helped him to get the feel of international cricket.

“I played in big crowds, I played in big moments, in big pressure situations, in situations that made a good cricketer out of me and a fierce competitor. That helped me in my international career,” Yuvraj said as per the quotes on the official ICC page.

The southpaw has a simple advice for the young Indian players. He wants them to enjoy themselves on the field. Yuvi believes that the team has a very good mentor in Rahul Dravid whose experience will prove vital in the conditions of New Zealand.

“The conditions are going to be different. Enjoy them and prepare well. [India] have an excellent coach with the Under-19 team in Rahul Dravid. They can’t have it better for their guidance. [New Zealand is] a beautiful country, it’s a country of beautiful people. I hope the guys enjoy the tournament, give it their best and form some memories,” remarked Yuvraj.

When asked to single out the favorites for the showpiece event, Yuvi took the name of the Indian team along with the hosts New Zealand. He also backed Afghanistan U19 and Nepal U19 to succeed in the competition.

“Afghanistan and Nepal too have been doing well. It’s pretty unpredictable for Under-19 because of the emergence of young talent,” The Chandigarh born cricketer concluded.

In the 2018 U19 World Cup, slated to be commenced from January 13, the Indian team will be led by Prithvi Shaw. The teenage batting prodigy from Mumbai has been in sensational form as he recently became the second youngest batsman after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to register a Duleep Trophy ton. While Shaw has taken the Indian domestic circuit by storm, the form of Indian Under-19 side has not been great. They failed to make it to semis of ACC U19 Asia Cup recently and were humiliated by Nepal and Bangladesh.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 09 Dec, 2017

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