I have seen so much of blood that I hate red now: Yuvraj

July 12, 2012

yuvi


New Delhi, July 12: Almost everyone in this world feel that 'red is the colour of love' but if you are a certain Yuvraj Singh, then you have more reasons to believe that even 'shades of grey' can have a soothing feeling than colour red.

Even a year back, Yuvraj would have told you that he loved everything red but not anymore for the man who has successfully battled against a rare germ cell cancer.

" Red used to be my favourite colour but I have seen so much of blood that now I hate red. The colour irritates me," Yuvraj said during an interaction with mediapersons at his cricket academy in Pathways School, Gurgaon recently.

As Lance Armstrong would tell you that "It's Not About the Bike", Yuvraj now realizes that it's certainly not about 'the bat' anymore.

"My approach towards the game has been changed. Of course, it will be the biggest achievement for me whenever I will play my first game for the country (after recovering)."

He recalled the hard days during treatment and how it felt being back to normal life.

"I struggled to breath earlier. Now I am breathing with both lungs. I can eat samosa. I could smell food during chemo but could not eat it. I am relieved to be able to live like a normal man now," the 30-year-old said in a pragmatic tone.

After initial realization that he has been affected by a dreadful disease, the stylish left-hander did feel that he may not be able to play again.

For the past couple of weeks, Yuvraj has time and again expressed his desire to be a part of World T20 Championship but he doesn't want to rush things. "I am not worried. Obviously, I want to play but I can't keep thinking about it," he added.

The 'Man of The Tournament' during World Cup admitted that initial phase of training was "really painful." "For the first two weeks, every muscle in my body was paining. The body used to be bit shaky but I'm 50-55 per cent there. Rest, I will attain in two month.

"I am hitting the ball well. The hand-eye co-ordination is better although the feet movement is slow. The best part is that I don't get tired now. Hopefully, I will be able to make a comeback in T20 World Cup," Yuvraj, who is working out for six hours a day, concluded.

"I was in bed for 4-6 months and only I can feel what it means to be back on the field. Even I did not imagine that I will be able to play again but my progress has been good. I can't describe in words, how it felt when I had my first knocking session."


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News Network
May 19,2020

Karachi, May 19: Babar Azam wants to take a leaf out of Imran Khan's aggressive captaincy and besides cricket, he is also brushing up his English to become a "complete leader" like the World Cup-winning all-rounder.

Last week, the star batsman took over the reins of Pakistan's white-ball cricket after being appointed as the ODI skipper.

Azam, who was one of the world's leading batsmen across formats last year and already the T20 skipper, replaced wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed as the ODI captain for the 2020-21 season.

"Imran Khan was a very aggressive captain and I want to be like him. It is not an easy job captaining the Pakistan team but I am learning from my seniors and I have also had captaincy experience since my under-19 days," Azam said.

He said that to be a complete captain one must be able to interact comfortably with the media and express oneself properly in front of an audience.

"These days I am also taking English classes besides focussing on my batting," he said on Monday.

The 25-year-old Babar said he was not satisfied with Pakistan's current standing in international cricket.

"I am not happy with where we stand and I want to see this team go up in the rankings."

Babar said captaincy would be a challenge for him but it would not affect his batting.

"It is an honour to lead one's national team so it is not a burden for me at all. In fact, after becoming captain, I have to lead by example and be more responsible in my batting."

Babar hoped the T20 World Cup is held this year in Australia as he wanted to lead his team in the ICC event.

"It would be a disappointment if the event was not held or rescheduled because I am looking forward to playing in the World Cup and doing well in it," he said.

About plans for Pakistan to fly to England in July to play three Tests and three T20 internationals amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Babar said a lot of hard work and planning would be required to make the players feel comfortable and safe.

"Touring England won't be easy. Health and safety of players is of great importance and the tour will only be possible when proper arrangements are in place," he said.

"Both England and Pakistan team fans, along with the cricketers, are missing cricket because of the pandemic."

"We will still try to perform to the best of our ability despite no support from the fans in the stadium," he added.

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News Network
March 5,2020

New Delhi, Mar 5: India's men's team skipper Virat Kohli congratulated the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's side for reaching its maiden final of the T20 World Cup in Australia, saying the outfit's performance is something to be "proud" of.

The Indian women's team advanced to the the summit clash owing to a superior group stage record, after the semifinal clash against England was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Sydney Cricket Ground due to persistent rain.

"Congratulations to the Indian Women's team on qualifying for the @T20WorldCup final. We are proud of you girls and wish you all the luck for the finals," Kohli tweeted.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag also took to Twitter to wish the Indian side luck for the final which is scheduled to be played in Melbourne on Sunday.

"...A reward for winning all the matches in the group stage. Congratulations @BCCIWomen and wishing you glory this Sunday #T20WorldCup," Sehwag said.

Former India Test specialist VVS Laxman hailed the side for its unbeaten record in the tournament so far.

"Would have been great to see the match, but many congratulations to @BCCIWomen for making it to the finals of the #T20WorldCup . A reward for winning 4 out of 4 in the group stages. Wishing the girls the very best for the finals on #WomensDay"

India have been in red-hot form in the tournament winning all four of their group A matches.

They began with a win over defending champions Australia followed by victories against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to top group A with eight points from four matches.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will take on the winner of the second semifinal between hosts Australia and South Africa in the summit clash.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Karachi, May 18: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes it is at least five years too early to compare Virat Kohli and Babar Azam as the Indian skipper has proven himself in "every kind of situation" and the latter has not.

"Virat Kohli is far more experienced than Babar. He has at least five years more experience of top cricket and he is at the peak of his career," said Younis, Pakistan's leading run-getter in Tests.

"Kohli has far more exposure than Babar and he has been in every kind of situation and proven himself. No one gets 70 international centuries like that and this are proof of his class and abilities. He has scored runs in every situation and all opposition."

Younis said said Babar still has a long way to go.

"Babar has been in top cricket for just around five years. He has got a very impressive batting average across all three formats and he is getting better by the day.

"You see him batting and you can see he has got the same qualities that Kohli had at the start of his career."

Besides amassing 70 international hundreds, 31-year-old Kohli averages more than 50 in all three formats. The India skipper has scored more than 20,000 runs while 25-year-old Babar has 6680 runs across formats though the Pakistan limited overs skipper has played significantly lesser number of games.

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