One of the chief architects of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup wins, Yuvraj Singh has expressed desire to play the mentorship role to help the Indian cricket team mentally prepare for future challenges.
It's been more than a decade since Team India last won a global title. After the Champions Trophy triumph in 2013, the side has lost as many as five ICC event finals and bowed out in the semi-finals on numerous occasions.
Last year, the Men in Blue had a great chance to end the ICC trophy drought but they once again failed to cross the final hurdle. The Rohit Sharma-led side won all the league-stage matches and the semi-final before losing the title clash of the Cricket World Cup to Australia in Ahmedabad.
Yuvraj showing interest in the mentorship role could involve sharing insights, providing guidance, and offering mental preparation strategies to the current crop of players as they badly want to break the ICC trophy jinx.
"I feel that we have played a lot of finals but not won one. I was part of one of the finals when we lost to Pakistan in 2017," Yuvraj said while inaugurating 'Yuvraj Centres of Excellence' at Merlin Rise in Kolkata.
"In the coming years, we definitely need to work on, as a country and as an Indian team, performing better under pressure.
"Australia have won six World Cups, and we have (won) two. How we win major championships is something we need to work on," he added.
India's recent performances in international cricket tournaments have left a lot to be desired. In the World Test Championship, India lost in the finals to New Zealand and Australia in 2021 and 2023 respectively while they faced semifinal exit in the 2015 and 2019 editions of Cricket World Cup.
India’s T20 World Cup world is not impressive as well lately. The team reached the final in 2014 but couldn't clinch the title. Moreover, they faced semifinal exits in the 2016 and 2022 editions.
Expressing concern, Yuvraj said, "I feel, yes, there is something (missing). When the big moment comes, our physical preparation is there, but mentally we need to make those decisions.
"I think that is something I was talking about -- motivating the young guys, teaching them how to handle pressure and play their game. That's been our challenge. We have the game, and we have guys who can bat under pressure, but the whole team has to do that, not just one or two guys.
"Mentoring is something I love to do. In the coming years, when my kids are settled, I want to give back to cricket and help the young guys get better. I think we face a lot of mental challenges in big tournaments. I believe in the mental aspect, I can really come in and work with these guys in the future.
"I feel that I can contribute a lot, especially in the middle order. I have the confidence to work with the young guys, addressing not only their technique but also the mental challenges that come with cricket."
The 42-year-old Yuvraj Singh also hinted at coaching an IPL team going forward.
"Let's see what opportunities I get, but my priority is my kids right now. Once they start school, I will have more time. so I can pick up (coaching). I love working with the young guys, especially my state boys, and I feel that mentoring is something that I would love to do, and definitely to be part of one of the IPL teams, I'm definitely looking at.
"I asked Mr Ashish Nehra (Gujarat Titans) for a job, but he declined it. So, let's see where else I can get a position, but at the moment, I have to balance."
"So, definitely in the coming years, I want to give back to cricket and help the young guys get better. I can contribute a lot."
(With PTI inputs)
