Visakhapatnam: Indian captain MS Dhoni believes in keeping his emotions under check and as a leader, he wants to guard Yuvraj Singh from the hype surrounding the World Cup hero’s comeback against New Zealand in the first T20 match here on Saturday.
“I feel we need to keep as normal as possible. Don’t create the hype around him,” Dhoni told reporters during the pre-match media interaction.
On the eve of the match, it was Yuvraj Singh who remained the centre of attention during India’s practice session. From the scribes, lensmen, to officials and those gathered at ground to watch the team train, every movement made by Yuvraj was covered in the minutest detail.
And Dhoni feels that the manner in which Yuvraj’s comeback is being covered, it will only increase the burden on the cricketer.
“The whole world is talking about his comeback in a manner as if they are helping him out. In a way, it puts the burden on the individual. It’s important to keep it as normal as possible. Not to let him think what has really happened in his life,” he said.
Terming Yuvraj as a strong character, Dhoni said that what is important now is that the stylist left-hander should enjoy his second innings. He seemed to be at ease as he middled most of the deliveries and also launched into spinners Piyush Chawla and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“He has fought through it as he is a strong character. As I said, he needs to turn up and just enjoy his cricket. That’s what he has done from age-group cricket till now. So he should not think about anything else,” Dhoni said.
“The manner in which he joked and fooled around seemed as if he has never ever been away from his team mates. He looked happy and while enjoying a game of soccer, he even showed his predatory instincts by scoring a goal,” he said.
Dhoni did admit that he missed Yuvraj’s company and it is indeed a joyous occasion that the talented batsman is back in the thick of things as he looked good during the two-hour session.
At the practice session, Yuvraj’s focus and determination was evident as he batted for 20 minutes.
The manner in which he flicked Dinda and then lofted Chawla made it clear clear that he is gearing up for a pitched battle.
No love lost for NZ
Dhoni’s opposite number Ross Taylor, however, said that there won’t be any love lost when Yuvraj comes out to bat.
“It’s great to see him back in action but when we are on-field, it’s going to be very competitive. Once we are off the field, we are all friends,” the New Zealand skipper reacted to a question asked on Yuvraj’s comeback.
New Zealand hope to get back on winning track as it will boost the morale of the side ahead of the World T20 in Sri Lanka starting from September 18.
Taylor feels that the return of senior players in Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills will help the Black Caps get into groove.
“New players bring in new energy. Now we are looking forward to it,” Taylor said.
The skipper is hopeful of making full use of the expertise of Vettori, Oram and Mills in the sub-continental conditions.
“We have some experienced players in the squad in Oram, Vettori, Mills who have played a lot of cricket in sub-continent. We would like to see how they go in the next couple of games and also in the World Twenty20.”
The Black Caps have a 3-0 record against India in shortest format but it would matter little in conditions suited to India, he added.
Balaji excited for comeback
Amid the hype surrounding Yuvraj Singh’s return after conquering cancer, pacer Laxmipathy Balaji will make a quiet comeback to the Indian cricket team, more than three-and-a-half years after his last international outing.
“It’s nice to be back. But at the same time, it’s not that I’m going to make my debut. Yes, I didn’t play for India for a long time but cricket always stayed with me,” Balaji said.
The Tamil Nadu-seamer was written off after a career-threatening knee injury, but a successful stint with this year’s IPL victors Kolkata Knight Riders meant that Balaji was not done yet.
“Be it at first-class or club level, I play with my heart and soul. That’s my passion and the reason why I’ve been able to make a comeback. I really thank God for giving me the break,” Balaji, who will turn 31 this month, said.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh, who is also making his comeback to the national team, put in his two cents about Sachin Tendulkar, backing the batsman to continue playing.
“I don’t want to comment on what others have said. But Sachin is somebody we all have looked up to while playing. He is the best cricketer I have played with,” Harbhajan said here.
“He scores 100s but never gets tired. His hunger for runs is amazing. He is truly a phenomenon, a legend and the God of cricket. Yet he keeps himself so simple. You learn a lot from him,” he added. (PTI)
