What Advice Does Yuvraj Singh Have for Women Cricketers Ahead of the ODI World Cup?

Mumbai, Aug 11 (NationPress) Having experienced the highs and lows of cricket, former Indian star Yuvraj Singh shares a crucial piece of advice for the Indian Women's cricket team as they aspire to break their trophy drought in the upcoming ICC Women's ODI World Cup, commencing on September 30.

He emphasized the importance of playing the situation at hand and not letting the overwhelming expectations from fans weigh them down as they strive for their first ICC World Cup victory on home soil. The team has previously reached the ODI World Cup final twice, finishing as runners-up on both occasions.

As the Indian women's cricket team enters the tournament as favorites, they aim to leverage the surge of support following their second-place finish in the 2017 edition in England.

Yuvraj, who was awarded Player of the Tournament during India's victorious men's ODI World Cup campaign in 2011, offered his insights during an event hosted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to mark the 50-day countdown to the World Cup.

He advised each player to possess the belief that she can win matches independently, rather than relying on others. “Play the situation and not the expectation, and stay present in the moment,” said Yuvraj, who also made significant contributions during India's triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup.

“This is an incredible opportunity to create history. However, it’s important not to focus solely on winning from the outset. You must immerse yourself in the journey, trusting that your efforts will yield results,” Yuvraj added.

He highlighted that pressure is inevitable if they aim to win the World Cup, noting that it is during these moments that experience and self-belief must prevail. “You must have the conviction that you want to win for your country on that day,” he said.

Yuvraj further emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in securing victories. “You can't rely on Harman, Smriti, or Jemimah. You need to have the confidence that you can win each match,” he stated.

Former women's team captain Mithali Raj also encouraged players to give their utmost effort in the tournament, urging them to draw strength from crowd support rather than succumbing to pressure.

Mithali acknowledged the significant impact of India's runner-up finish in the 2017 World Cup, stating that it transformed the landscape of women's cricket. “The 2017 World Cup truly revolutionized women’s cricket not just in India, but globally, with social media emerging as a powerful tool and the ICC enhancing its promotion and outreach,” she mentioned.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta expressed optimism that the 2025 World Cup will serve as a catalyst for the growth of women's cricket. “The broader narrative here reflects the country's progress. The rise of women's cricket signifies a shift in societal norms, allowing women to occupy spaces traditionally held by men. It also creates opportunities for both genders to support Team India, not just the men's team,” he stated.

“The growth of women’s cricket over the last eight years has led us to this pivotal moment, where it is time for women's cricket to ascend to the next level. This World Cup is a significant step forward,” he concluded.