This one is going to rage that old debate again: was Yuvraj Singh faking it? Was Yuvraj simply discontent like a brat who is used to having too much or is there a fire no one knows about?
The danger with writing about Yuvraj Singh is that phrases like “honeymoon phase” and “purple patch” get tagged very easily. That is the mesmeric effect when a man of his talent decides to turn it on. But talent is also such that it has a dark side. The tendency of the most talented is to also throw it away callously and yet hold the world for their apparent disdain.
Yuvraj Singh not only pushed the barriers with his second consecutive century for India in the second one day international against England in Indore but also, once again highlighted how much of the talent has never really been allowed to come to the fore, through forces within and without.
One had to watch his bowling performance the same way one watched him bat – with mouth agape and eyes drawn wide. A novice to a game could be forgiven for thinking Yuvraj Singh was a frontline spinner for India. England may have been wondering what is going on but not Yuvraj. He bowled to a plan like he did with the bat in hand. He was punctual, precise and patient. And he looked as self assured with the bat as he did with the ball. Yuvraj the batsman conveniently gave way to Yuvraj the bowler without the least compunction.
Fairy tales are made of these and once again, Yuvraj draws out the pens to fill reams of praise, the same pen whose inks dries up just like Yuvraj has flowed and ebbed in his love-him-or-hate-him-but-can’t-ignore-him career.
Does Young India Want to Prove a Point?
