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As India prepare to host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with just 50 days remaining, cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has shared invaluable insights from his triumphant 2011 World Cup campaign. The 2011 Player of the Tournament emphasized that while playing on home soil brings unprecedented opportunities, success ultimately depends on executing proven processes rather than getting caught up in expectations.
Yuvraj Singh’s words of wisdom for India women cricket team
Yuvraj’s advice resonates with hard-earned wisdom from India’s historic 2011 World Cup victory. “The 50-over World Cup is the World Cup. It’s happening in India, and I think everybody should be really excited about it. However, his golden counsel goes deeper than mere enthusiasm – it’s about mastering the mental game,” Yuvraj stated at Mumbai’s ’50 days to go’ event.
The former all-rounder stressed the importance of staying grounded: “I feel it’s a great opportunity to create history. But that doesn’t mean that from the start, you think you’re winning it. You have to experience the whole enigma of it. You have to feel that you put in the process, and the results will come“. This philosophy proved crucial during India’s 2011 campaign, where the team faced immense pressure but remained focused on their preparation rather than the weight of expectations.
Drawing from India’s previous heartbreak in finals, Yuvraj also acknowledged: “I think [the women’s team] lost a couple of finals. We’ve been there. And it’s really important that you enjoy this moment. Be in the moment rather than thinking ahead“. His words carry particular significance given India’s narrow nine-run defeat to England in the thrilling 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s.
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Yuvraj’s advice of converting pressure into performance
Understanding the unique challenges of a home World Cup, Yuvraj offered strategic advice for handling crowd expectations and pressure situations. “The fans are always wanting fours and sixes, or like wickets. That’s the game. They come to watch. They want entertainment. They want to be entertained,” he explained. However, he emphasized that entertainment must never compromise winning strategies.
His most crucial advice centered on resilience during challenging moments: “But the point is that if you want to win the World Cup, you have to be in the situation where you were at, I think. There will be times where they’re going to feel that pressure. There will be times when things are not going to go well. And that’s the time when the experience, the self-belief, has to take over“.
This wisdom stems from personal experience – Yuvraj nearly missed the 2011 World Cup squad due to poor form leading up to the tournament. Only the insistence of captain MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten secured his place, and he repaid their faith by becoming the tournament’s standout performer with 362 runs and 15 wickets. His message is clear: “The belief that I can be the player in this moment. I think every time you walk in the game, you have to believe that“.
The tournament, scheduled from September 30 to November 2, 2025, will see India open against Sri Lanka at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With legends like Mithali Raj also present at the event, sharing her journey from when women’s cricket came under BCCI stewardship in 2006, the stage is set for India to finally break their ICC trophy drought. As current captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared: “We want to break that barrier which all Indians are waiting for“, echoing the determination that champions like Yuvraj embodied during their historic victories.
