Monday, 17 December 2012

Play as long as you enjoy, Anand tells Tendulkar « SportsKeeda

Monday, 27 August 2012

INDIA VS NEWSLAND TEST SERICE IN DHONI CAPTAINSHIP

MS Dhoni talks to Ravi Ashwin (C) and Pragyan Ojha during the fourth day of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International cricket stadium in Hyderabad. (AFP Photo)
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Yuvaraj Is Back

“More strong mentally, much more positive, more religious....” That, in his own words, is the Yuvraj Singh of today.

The smile is back. As is the hair on the 30-year-old’s pate, which had fallen off during the three cycles of chemotherapy in the US.

Having successfully fought against a rather rare form of germ cell cancer, Yuvraj is focused on two things: making his India comeback (which should be in Vizag on September 8) and spreading awareness through YouWeCan, set up by the foundation which bears his name.

After over six hours of sweating it out at the National Cricket Academy here, Yuvraj spent around 20 minutes in the pool at the luxurious ITC Gardenia. The day’s training complete, he spoke to The Telegraph over tea and sandwiches.

“I’ve got my life back; this is a fresh innings.... Earlier, I’d only pray in temples; now it has become a daily ritual... thanks to my Guruji, who has given me some prayers to recite, and my mother (Shabnam)....

“It’s not that I pray for very long, about 10-12 minutes.... But, yeah, I’ve definitely become more religious....

“I’d always been the positive type, but my illness has made me much more positive. As I’ve told you, I’ve got my life back....

“Of course, I’m more strong mentally as well. For three-four months, I had to fight it out both physically and mentally.... I managed to do so.”

Yuvraj is off medication but will need quarterly check-ups. The next is due in September.

“For now, I won’t have to travel back to Indianapolis.... The scans are going to be done in India and emailed to Dr Lawrence Einhorn there. I haven’t been given a formal list of dos and don’ts, but I’ve become regular with my eating and try to sleep early,” Yuvraj said as a fellow guest at the deluxe property congratulated him on his recovery.

Briefly turning emotional, Yuvraj remarked that he “wouldn’t” have survived had a fourth cycle of chemotherapy been necessary.

“Chemotherapy is painful.... My body had gone by the time the third cycle came and I had to be admitted to hospital (Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Centre) for the final five days.... There were times when I was on a wheelchair and I wouldn’t have survived a fourth cycle.... I would surely have died....”

For a minute or so, neither of us spoke.

Yuvraj then reached for his cup of tea and continued: “I consider myself blessed.... God has been kind; I’ve got such a wonderful mother, so many well-wishers.... Now, I want to spread awareness, do my bit for others....

“If I can fight cancer, so can you.... YouWeCan is for that and our first centre should open (in Gurgaon) in December.... The stigma attached to cancer has to go away.... Early detection holds the key and I’m a living example.”

Yuvraj acknowledged that confirmation of cancer came after tests in London, with Dr Peter Harper being brutally frank about his condition.

That was in late December last year and in early 2012. For Yuvraj, it seems ages ago.

As reported in these columns, Yuvraj’s story of courage is being put together in the form of a book, expected to hit the stands in December.

The staff at the academy have, by the way, been bowled over by Yuvraj’s determination.

“Yuvi’s amazing.... Gym, running, nets, high catches, ground fielding... the guy’s doing everything,” one of the astonished seniors told this reporter.

Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj is himself “tense and excited” at being mere weeks away from again playing for India.

“Look, I don’t know what will happen.... Don’t know how I’m going to fare, but I’m just happy.... I couldn’t even think of again playing when cancer was diagnosed.... Yet, here I am talking to you....”

Yuvraj needn’t worry. Irrespective of the runs he scores on his comeback, the world already sees him as a winner

INDIAN UNDRE 19(U-19)

Vijay Zol (L) and Akhil Herwadkar of India celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2012 ICC U19 Cricket World …

New Delhi: A three-day boot camp that members of the Indian under-19 side attended in isolation in Nagarhole, a national park near Mysore, helped the players a great deal in building team spirit – and, eventually, win the under-19 World Cup.

Team coach Bharat Arun disclosed that self belief, communication, and controlled aggression were developed during the camp in which the players stayed at the Jungles Lodges &
Resorts.

He said things learnt at the camp came handy. “We spent three days before the start of the final two-week camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. It was a team- building exercise. We wanted an atmosphere that had no cricket,” former India Test pacer Bharat told MAIL TODAY from Australia.

“We aimed to build three elements — self belief, communication, controlled aggression — and these eventually helped the players win the World Cup.” The other crucial aspect that saw the team emerge winners was the disciplined fielding and tight bowling while defending small totals, said Bharat, now head of the bowling unit at the NCA. “We fielded exceptionally well. It was the key to our success and the highlight of the triumph. We understood the importance of fielding early."

"The lads were athletic and had trained hard. Fielding is the key to India’s future,” he emphasised.

“There were no injuries throughout the tournament and the niggles were taken care of. Credit also goes to the trainers and physios who worked on players at the NCA and in Australia.” Since the batsmen failed to get going, the onus was on the bowlers to keep the team in the hunt.

“The win was the result of a combined effort, the hall mark of a team. The bowlers did a fabulous job. They defended totals of less than 200,” he said referring to the poor batting display.

In six matches India batted in the first four and posted only once a total of 250-plus.

They tallied 166/8 vs West Indies, 261/6 vs Zimbabwe, 204 all out vs Papua New Guinea, and 209/9 vs New Zealand in the semi- finals. There was only one century from India, but that came at the right time – aptly the most crucial time, in the final, by captain Unmukt Chand.

“We played four tournaments/ series in the last one year with almost the same team and that also helped.”

Mohammed Kaif, captain of India’s first under-19 World Cup triumph in 2000, was happy that India won their World Cup in 12 years, but warned against rushing them into higher grades of cricket.

“The final showed that they are maturing. The win has opened the door for greater opportunities. They’d now get to play Ranji Trophy and other tournaments. But they should not be rushed into the big league as that can backfire, at times,” Kaif told MAIL TODAY. “They should play first-class for two years or so to gain experience.”

Unmukt got full marks from Irfan Pathan, his Delhi Daredevils teammate and a former under-19 World Cupper.

“He showed his character today [Sunday] with his unbeaten 111. I have seen his attitude towards the game while representing Delhi Daredevils,” he said. “He’s got a big heart. His knock against the Mumbai Indians in the IPL showed that. He didn’t get bogged down. He has a bright future.”