Yuvraj Singh: Golf Could Have Added 3,000 More Cricket Runs

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) India’s two-time World Cup-winning hero, Yuvraj Singh, recently suggested that playing golf could have enhanced his international cricket career by "at least 3,000 more runs." Sharing this advice with his protégé cricketers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, Yuvraj emphasized the calming influence of golf.

Former India captain Kapil Dev previously remarked he might have scored "2000 extra runs" in cricket had he embraced golf during his playing days. Responding at the IGPL tour's schedule launch, Yuvraj said, "I agree with Kapil Paaji. He said 2000, I would have scored 3000 more runs."

Expressing golf's distinct advantage over cricket, Yuvraj explained, "In cricket, a poor performance may mean waiting until the next game for redemption. However, golf allows one to recover from a bad shot right away." As a 43-year-old veteran who played key roles in India's victories at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, he now supports and promotes golf as a co-owner and brand ambassador of the IGPL.

Yuvraj suggested that playing another sport, like golf, between matches can refresh cricketers. "If India is on a break, and a player uses the time to golf, it might be perceived as skirting practice by the media. However, being fresh enhances performance," he argued.

He advises young cricketers to engage in golf, conveying, "Over-practice is also detrimental. Engaging with golf can offer a mental reset. However, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma must decide if it benefits them amid their burgeoning careers. Yet, I champion all athletes to play golf. It's restorative for the mind and invaluable for both relaxation and recreation."

Discussing golf's widespread adoption among top cricketers from countries like Australia, South Africa, and England, Yuvraj added, "Many elite players prefer more golf and less cricket practice. One can't revolutionize a game's mechanics in three days, but maintaining a fresh mindset is paramount."

Yuvraj concluded, "Not just for cricket, but for all athletes, playing golf may enhance their aptitude in their primary sport. It embodies a universal advantage for mental freshness and agility."

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