Cuttack heroes Yuvi, Mahi bat for longevity
The grand double act by Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra SinghDhonionThursdayleftthe fansdelightedandgaveathumbs up for longevity at the highest level of the game. Yuvraj Singh andDhoniturnedtheclockback.
It wasonlythethirdinstanceof twobatsmenover35scoringcenturies in the same ODI innings. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan had beentheonlypairtoscorecenturies in the same ODI innings. Theydidittwiceatthe2015World Cup.
YOUNG MEN’S GAME
Theproliferationoflimited-overs cricket and the demand it places on fitness and agility often givestheimpressionthatcricket is rapidly turning into a young man’s game. However, there have been players who have bucked that trend. Dhoni, who stepped down as limited-oversskipperbeforethis series, has been active, scoring his first ODI centry for three years. ButYuvrajmadeahuge point on being recalled into the side after three years. InCuttack, morethanhow he paced his innings, his fitnessandstaminastoodoutas he kept pace with Dhoni’s hard running between the wickets.
Yuvraj’s world had turned upside down soon after as he underwent cancer treatment, raising serious doubts about a comeback.
Continuing to play well into the 30s requires not just fitness but focus and passion for the game. SachinTendulkarisaclassic example. He has scoredthree ODIcenturiesafterturning35, all 150plus knocks with theicing on the cake being the first ODI doublecentury, againstSouthAfrica at Gwalior in 2010.
Quiteafewplayershavetaken advantage of modern training methods to continue playing, whiletheproliferationofT20leagueshasbeenabigmotivationfor them.
While Dhoni made a smooth captaincy switch from Chennai Super Kings to Rising Pune Supergiantsin2016, Yuvraj, with a base price of R2 crore, was bought for a whopping R7 crore by eventual champions Sunrisers Hyderabad at the player auctions.
“There was a time when I was wondering whether to continue or not to continue. I think a lot of people have helped me throughoutthisjourney. So, nevergiving up is my theory. So I never gave up, kept working hard. I knew times will change,” said Yuvraj.