‘After 20 years, I still have to be careful’: Yuvraj Singh talks concerning the presence of senior statesmen in Indian dressing room

Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh made his debut in 2000 throughout the ICC Champions Trophy however admitted that he was intimidated by the senior members of the squad which included the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and Sourav Ganguly.

“After 20 years, I still have to be careful about what I say in front of him (Kumble). I think it was a bit of a shock, to be honest. There’s Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar, and the likes of Ganguly (in the dressing room),” mentioned Yuvraj whereas talking on the launch of South Africa’s new franchise league SA20 together with former teammate Anil Kumble.

Reflecting again on his preliminary days, Yuvraj admitted that he did really feel odd at occasions. “The coach used to say they’re your teammates so you have to sit next to them. So, it took a while to start talking to them. But what the IPL has done is that the youngsters are now more comfortable around the players.”

However, the southpaw credited the present franchise leagues just like the Indian Premier League  (IPL) for altering the tradition and mentioned, “There are all these guys you’re watching on television as a kid and straightaway, you were in the dressing room with them,” he mentioned.

“You had to ask the coach to not be seated next to them. The coach used to say they’re your teammates so you have to sit next to them. So, it took a while to start talking to them. But what the IPL has done is that the youngsters are now more comfortable around the players,” he added.