Sport | Cricket
Singh enjoyed every moment of IPL
Despite the hectic schedule, India's Yuvraj Singh enjoyed every moment of the IPL, despite failing to reach the final with his Kings X1 Punjab team.
- By D Datta
- Published: 23:35 June 1, 2008
Mumbai: Despite the hectic schedule, India's Yuvraj Singh enjoyed every moment of the IPL, despite failing to reach the final with his Kings X1 Punjab team.
Did you expect you would not be able to reach the final?
Well, I thought we were the second best team in the tournament.
So, we should have reached the final. But we were outplayed in the semifinal and that was the end of our campaigning in the IPL.
How was the experience in the IPL?
I had enjoyed it. I know the schedule was hectic, but going through the matches was certainly a great experience for all of us. Sometimes, we had to play matches with just a day in between. Both on and off the field, it was fast-paced, but we liked it.
What is the most enjoyable part of the IPL?
That there are cricketers from different countries and cultures in the same team. It is great for the paying public as well as for the cricketers, too. We do not get such opportunities to mix with cricketers from other countries.
You had the Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena and the Lankan vice captain Kumara Sangakkara in your team. Was it a problem for you to lead the side with international captains in the team?
On the contrary, it was a great help for me to have them in the side. They are really nice players and have big hearts.
So, you enjoyed the captaincy?
Definitely. See, we did not start well in the tournament, losing the first two matches. I took my time to settle as the captain of the side. The batting order was settled, we had developed a good understanding among the teammates and it all changed. Gradually, I became more relaxed and that was the key, I believe!
What about Tom Moody, your coach?
Tom has some special qualities which, you come across only when you are working with him. He says something specific when the team wins and never says anything after a defeat.
It is said that the co-ordination between the captain and the coach needs to be working in order to make the team successful.
We had a lovely co-ordination. As the coach of the team Tom did never pushed me to the corner.
Shaun Marsh has been a revelation, is not it?
Credit goes to Tom, too. He has seen him emerging as the best Australian young cricketer and we were confident after seeing him in the nets.
We should have been in the final, moans Punjab skipper Yuvraj
The schedule was hectic, but going through the matches was certainly a great experience for all of us, says the big-hitting batsman
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