In a reflective moment on Yuvraj Singh’s 42nd birthday, former India fast-bowler S Sreesanth opened up about an impactful piece of advice he received from the cricketing legend. Sreesanth, who made his debut for Team India in ODIs in 2005 and was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007 and the ODI World Cup-winning team in 2011, recalled the guidance given by Yuvraj Singh during the early stages of his international career.
At the time when Sreesanth was striving to establish himself in the Indian cricket team, Yuvraj Singh, an experienced and senior member of the squad, advised the young pacer to prioritize hard work over partying. Sreesanth remembered receiving this valuable advice from Yuvraj Singh during a match for Indian Airlines, highlighting the impact of the senior player’s wisdom on his approach to the game.
During the KSCA Trophy in Bangalore, S Sreesanth had the opportunity to showcase his skills while playing for Indian Airlines, with Yuvraj Singh in attendance during the match. The former fast-bowler recalled that Yuvraj Singh, stationed at slip, closely observed his bowling performance, which turned out to be an impressive outing for Sreesanth. This experience allowed Sreesanth to establish a connection with Yuvraj, making the advice that followed even more meaningful and impactful.
In 2003, during a crucial phase of S Sreesanth’s career, Yuvraj Singh, having observed Sreesanth’s potential during a match for Indian Airlines, offered invaluable advice to the budding fast bowler. Yuvraj approached Sreesanth, urging him to shift his focus from social activities and parties to dedicatedly concentrating on his cricket. Yuvraj emphasized that Sreesanth possessed the talent to represent India if he maintained his commitment to the game.
Sreesanth vividly remembered the impactful conversation with Yuvraj, acknowledging that such guidance from a seasoned player like Yuvraj was rare. Yuvraj’s advice, given to a 19-20 year old Sreesanth, was clear: to continue performing well in first-class cricket and strive for a spot in the Indian team in the coming 2-3 years. Sreesanth expressed his gratitude, highlighting that Yuvraj’s words served as a motivating force during his early cricketing journey.
S Sreesanth’s international career spanned from 2005 to 2011, during which he played 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is. His notable contributions included 87 wickets in Tests, 75 wickets in ODIs, and 7 wickets in T20Is. Yuvraj Singh, an Indian cricket stalwart, had an illustrious career, representing India in 40 Tests, 304 ODIs, and 58 T20Is.
