Yuvraj Singh tips India, New Zealand to excel in ICC U19 World Cup 2018

Veteran Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been an integral part of all major title triumphs of the national side. Yuvraj has been a part of the World Cup winning teams of 2007 and 2011 in T20 and the ODI formats respectively. Even before that, the southpaw had tasted the global success at another stage. He was a part of the India U19 team that had won the World Cup in 2000.

Yuvraj Singh played under the captaincy of Mohammad Kaif in the tournament. Over the years, the U19 World Cup is seen as the breeding ground for the rising stars of world cricket. With the 2018 edition coming up, Yuvraj, as per the quotes on the official ICC page, mentioned that the tournament helped him get the feel of international cricket.

“I played in big crowds, I played in big moments, in big pressure situations, in situations that made a good cricketer out of me and a fierce competitor. That helped me in my international career,” Yuvraj Singh.

When asked to pick the favorites for the competition, Yuvraj Singh took the name of the Indian team and the hosts New Zealand to succeed in the competition. He also backed Afghanistan U19 and Nepal U19 to succeed in the contest.

“Afghanistan and Nepal too have been doing well. It’s pretty unpredictable for Under-19 because of the emergence of young talent,” mentioned the veteran cricketer.

Advice to the Indian team

In the 2018 U19 World Cup, the Indian team will be led by Prithvi Shaw. The young Mumbai batsman has been in record breaking form in the Indian domestic circuit. While his form is supreme, the form of the Indian colts has not been great. They failed to make it to semis of the ACC U19 Asia Cup recently and were humbled by Nepal and Bangladesh.

Yuvraj Singh has a simple advice for the young players. He wants them enjoy themselves at the field. He noted that the side has a very good coach in Rahul Dravid. Also, he had his words of praise reserved for the beautiful venue for the tournament, New Zealand.

“The conditions are going to be different. Enjoy them and prepare well. [India] have an excellent coach with the Under-19 team in Rahul Dravid. They can’t have it better for their guidance. [New Zealand is] a beautiful country, it’s a country of beautiful people. I hope the guys enjoy the tournament, give it their best and form some memories,” quipped Yuvraj.