‘I found Yuvi’s energy was low’- Sachin Tendulkar opens up on conversation with Yuvraj Singh before 2011 World Cup

Former Men in Blue all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was one of the key players in the 2011 World Cup-winning team. He slammed 362 runs in eight innings, and also picked 15 wickets throughout the tournament as India defeated Sri Lanka in the final to lift their second World Cup title.

However, Yuvraj disclosed that he had cancer months after the championship victory. He underwent extensive treatment for the condition before eventually rejoining the national squad in September 2012. Former Team India legend Sachin Tendulkar, has revealed a previously unknown story of how he realized Yuvraj’s energy levels were “falling” before the 2011 World Cup. 

A day prior to India’s first match of the tournament against Bangladesh, the master blaster invited the all-rounder to his hotel room, where he spoke in-depth about Yuvraj’s performances in practice and on the field.

If you want, we will work together: Sachin Tendulkar

“I found Yuvi’s energy was really low. At that time, nobody knew that he had that illness. One only realised that after the 2011 World Cup. Before that, I felt his energy levels were low, so I called him to my room on the even of our first match. I said, ‘Yuvi, chalo ham dinner karte hain’,” Sachin began as he narrated the story during an event organized by Infosys.

“We started chatting and just before leaving my room, I told him, ‘From tomorrow, I’m going to send goals for you and they start from your fielding. You were a really athletic fielder and I find your energy levels have dropped a bit. From tomorrow, our practice sessions will be different. I expect you to push little harder,” said Tendulkar.

“If you want, we will work together and I will give my honest feedback. I can guarantee you that your graph will slowly but surely go upwards, and at the crunch moment, you will matter when it matters, Yuvi. Keep working hard, that process is important. Peaking at the right time is important,” he added.