Yuvraj’s return delights Dhoni
First Published : 17 Aug 2012, 11:28
Last Modified : 17 Aug 2012, 11:41
Mumbai, Aug17: The last time Yuvraj Singh donned the India jersey was when he won his country the 2011 World Cup. It’s over a year since then and he’s back in the team after a victorious battle against cancer. When he takes the field again, as part of India’s Twenty20 team, he will don a brand new shade of blue.
Yuvraj Singh was the cynosure at the event in Mumbai in which Nike unveiled Team India’s new and innovative Twenty20 International kit. Reunited with his team-mates, Yuvraj was at his jovial best.
When asked whether he’s nervous ahead of his big comeback, the all-rounder said, “I’m actually pretty nervous but it’s great to be back with the team. I’ll be playing after year but I’ve spent quality time at the NCA and as you can see, the jersey fits me well. So the hard work is showing.”
Not the one to miss any chances of hitting the ball for a six, Yuvraj lapped up the opportunity of pulling Virat Kohli’s leg when asked about the latter’s phenomenal run with the bat. “Yes, he’s batting very well. He should continue his form both on and off the field,” Yuvraj teased his team-mate.
India’s captain MS Dhoni was delighted to have Yuvraj back, lightening the mood in the Indian camp with his jokes. “He’s not only an important player but also an important character in the team. Without him the dressing-room is a bit boring,” he said of Yuvraj.
“Virat was trying his best to keep things light and ensure that the newcomers settled in quickly. Now we’ll have a healthy competition between Virat and Yuvi, to see who is the best at ragging,” the captain said in jest.
Team India got on the road for a new season with the ODI and T20 series in Sri Lanka, which they won handsomely. Dhoni said the team was in good mental space and attributed it to the 45-day break they enjoyed before the Lanka tour.
“We had nearly a month and a half off and even when we played in Sri Lanka recently we had enough gaps between matches,” said Dhoni. “The time off has given us a chance to be mentally and physically fit. If you look ahead at the packed schedule you will feel there is a lot of cricket ahead. The better thing is to take it a bit more short term and look at what you need to do in the next 15 days.”
Speaking about the new T20 kit, Dhoni welcomed the idea of having a separate jersey for the shortest format as it gives the T20 team an identity of its own.
“It’s a very good start. Even when people are swapping between channels on television they see white and know that it’s Test cricket,” he said. “Now there will be a strong association between this jersey and T20 cricket.”
India’s swashbuckling opening batsman, Virender Sehwag, loved the design of the jersey with the Indian Tri-colour painted on the chest and sleeve. “Having the national flag’s colours close to the heart is a good idea. After all, someone like me, who plays from the heart, will only feel better for it,” Sehwag said.
Sehwag’s views were echoed by Virat Kohli, who described the new jersey as “very stylish”. Virat’s favourite part of the jersey was the new style collar of which he said, “I think it’s being used in Indian sports for the first time.”
The colours used in the jersey are vibrant and very eye catching. This will definitely inspire us to do well on the field,” Virat said.
