'I’m Nothing Like Yograj Singh' - Yuvraj Singh on comparisons with his father’s coaching style
Yuvraj Singh says his coaching style is opposite to his father Yograj’s strict methods, focusing instead on empathy and understanding to guide young cricketers.
One of the most famous cricket stars for India, Yuvraj Singh, has found a caring and understanding way to guide the next generation of cricketers. The former India all-rounder recently came out to state that his coaching is completely different from his father Yograj Singh's strict and demanding methods.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2011, Yuvraj has taken on the role of a mentor and has helped shape the careers of young players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. In a recent interview with PTI, Yuvraj said his approach is based on empathy and support rather than pressure or punishment. His focus is on understanding young players’ emotions and helping them grow with confidence.
“I am definitely nothing like Yograj Singh. I am a very different person and a very different personality. My style of coaching is very different. I believe when you are coaching or mentoring someone, you need to be in their shoes and understand their mindset, what they are going through, rather than telling them what to do,” Yuvraj said. “It has to be like a push and pull, you take some and you give some. It is important to understand how to be in the head of a 19-year-old,” he added.
Yuvraj’s Softer Approach Compared to Yograj’s Tough Training
Yograj Singh, known for his strict discipline and fiery nature, played a big role in Yuvraj’s early cricket journey. His training methods were very tough, it’s even said that he once threw away Yuvraj’s skating shoes so that he would focus only on cricket. While those methods helped create a champion, Yuvraj believes today’s generation needs a different kind of support.
“When I was 19, nobody understood the challenges I was facing. So when I see a 19 or 20-year-old now, I know what they are going through mentally. It’s about listening to them, understanding their mindset, and guiding them, not just giving orders,” he said.
The softer, understanding approach is already yielding results from Yuvraj. Players such as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who have trained under him, have come to be known as India's brightest cricket stars. From beating cancer to mentoring future champions, Yuvraj inspires youngsters with nothing but kindness, patience, and understanding.
Tags:
