I was your assistant for 25 years: Yuvraj’s witty response to DC Sourav Ganguly’s offer

When Yuvraj Singh joined the job as assistant coach of Delhi Capitals, he teamed up with Sourav Ganguly again. DC’s new coach was the man under whom his international career took its first steps and blossomed.

So, when Ganguly offered the job of his assistantYuvraj had a witty reply. He just reminded the former Indian captain that he has served in the role for the last 25 years.

“Dada said to me, ‘Would you be my assistant?’ And I thought, ‘I’ve been your assistant for the last 25 years, so I’ll probably be doing the same job!’ I was very happy to do it. I have been preparing for this opportunity for the past three to four years. I have worked with the players individually but being part of the whole team environment will be a different experience and I am really excited about it,” said Yuvraj.

The former India all-rounder is all set for his first coaching role in the IPL with one of his former franchises. Yuvraj believes he saw his former captain’s leadership up close during his playing days Ganguly’s ability to promote unity and create a positive atmosphere in the dressing room is one of the characteristics that sets him apart.

“The best thing I learned from Dada was how to create a good team environment. When he was captain and I made my debut, he held us together. He made us believe that we could become a great team and win tournaments outside India. He was always like a big brother to me, whether it was helping me understand selection, mentoring me or showing me what it takes to become a good international cricketer.” He said and I look forward to his cooperation.

‘WE ARE HERE TO WIN THE IPL’

Yuvraj, who failed to make the playoffs during his earlier stint with Delhi Capitals as a player, would be keen to help the franchise turn a new page in the upcoming season. While securing a place in the playoffs is the first step, he made it clear that the team’s ambitions must go beyond qualification, with the ultimate goal being to win the IPL title.

“We definitely have the ability and that’s why Dada and I are coming – to bring that belief back. Our first goal is to qualify, but we’re here to win the championship and I don’t see why we can’t do that. Just because it didn’t happen in the past doesn’t mean it can’t happen in the future. We want to build a team and fight with an energy that’s ready for any situation.”

Yuvraj and Ganguly will look to end Delhi’s wait for the IPL title and the work has already been planned. DC got Rishabh Pant from LSG and Zeeshan Ansari from SRH through trades when they let go of Kuldeep Yadav and T Natarajan.

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