Yuvraj Singh Reveals How He Improved His Fielding After Being Called 'Gateway of India' In An Article
Published - 21 Apr 2020, 03:31 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:05 AM
Yuvraj Singh. What is the first thing that strikes your mind when you hear or read the aforementioned name? Is it his sumptuous strokeplay or his outrageous catches and outwardly fielding efforts at point or virtually anywhere he fielded? To be honest, such was the brilliance of Yuvraj- the fielder, that he could warrant a place in the side purely on the basis of his fielding.
At the turn of the century, Yuvraj, along with Mohammad Kaif brought a whirlwind change in India’s fielding. But, Yuvraj wasn’t always a brilliant fielder. The left-hander recently engaged in an Instagram Live session with Mohammed Kaif where the former talked about an article in the newspaper where he was referred to as ‘Gateway of India’ propelled his father to improve his fielding skills.
“I was not aware about fielding. When I was 15-16 yeas old, I was playing my first Ranji match in which I misfielded. On the next day, there was an article in the newspaper which said – ‘Gateway of India Yuvraj Singh,” Yuvraj Singh recalled.
Also Read: Yuvraj Singh Opens Up On The Pressure That Comes With Hefty IPL Paychecks
Yuvraj Singh revealed how his father played a huge role in him becoming a great fielder
Yuvraj added that his father would make him practice at least 30-40 catches and around 120-125 fielding saves every day and as he kept training, his body eventually got strong and post that he had just one thought in his mind that he’ll never let the ball slip away from him.
“My father read it. After that he was determined to improve my fielding skills. Everyday, he would make me practice 30-40 catches, 120-125 fielding saves,” he said.
He added “It helped. As I kept training, my body got strong. After that, during my playing days, I just had one thought in my mind while I was standing at point. I will not allow the ball to slip away from me, no matter what,” he said.
Needless to say that Yuvraj went on to become one of the greatest fielders that India have ever produced and he showed these precocious skills of his in his very first International series- ICC Knockout 2000 where he claimed a brilliant catch at cover to break open the quarter-final against Australia.
Also Read: Full-Time Commentator Or Coach? Yuvraj Singh Opens Up About His Future Role
