Former cricketer Yograj Singh, father of legendary India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, has narrated a sledging episode from the Steve Waugh-led Australian team that made his son a mentality beast on the field.

When Yuvraj first arrived at the scene as a 19-year-old, he wasn't much expressive. However, it was his debut against Australia that changed everything.

Speaking to Inside Sports, Yograj insisted that while Waugh's words might be harsh, they taught Yuvraj to be tough and give it back to the opponent.

Yograj also recalled an incident when Yuvraj got into a heated argument with former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff during a T20 World Cup 2007 match in Durban, but took his anger out on a young Stuart Broad, smashing the pacer for 6 sixes in an over.

"For me, it's a war fought by gentlemen. While you are in the field, there are times you are just going through the motions, and people should understand this. I don't know whether you have heard what Australians do on the field. They abuse everything which is in the world. They use every harsh word in the dictionary. I remember when Yuvraj was hit by a ball and he fell. Steve Waugh came and said, 'Get up, this is not school cricket, you bloody kid'," Yograj said.

"And he just got up and he was standing. And then he would swear like this and what happened with Flintoff and Yuvi," he added.

Yograj further emphasized that emotions are bound to get the better of players when they are playing for the country, so whatever happens on the field stays on it.

"You are still friends when you go out. Everybody is not the same. Emotions go, forgive them. Obviously, at the end of the day, you are friends. You say sorry to each other and that is over. Have a big heart. Don't get into all these petty things. There is nonsense going on, fining kids and all this kind of stuff. It doesn't matter," he remarked.

Yograj Singh made these revelations while commenting on the BCCI’s decision to punish Lucknow Super Kings (LSG) spinner Digvesh Rathi for his 'notebook' celebration during the IPL 2025 season.

Sharing his two cents, Yograj said it is all in the sport and youngsters must not be fined for such trivial issues.