All doubts about Yuvraj Singh's future should be put to rest: Virat Kohli

Yuvraj Singh

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli said that all doubts about Yuvraj Singh’s abilities need to be put to rest after his back-to-back scintillating knocks in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. While the first one – 38-ball 83 and a 4-wicket haul – against Rajasthan Royals ended up in a losing cause, the second one – 29-ball 68* – made sure Delhi Daredevils never came back into the match.

The stellar show against the Royals’ – easily the best all-round performance in the history of the Indian Premier League – went in vain, but a determined Yuvraj repeated his heroics at the same venue – Bangalore – with the Daredevils at the receiving end this time around. Unlike the Royals’ Steve Smith and James Faulkner, the Daredevils didn’t have any reply to the assault aimed at them.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s skipper Virat Kohli, who pushed the franchise owners for getting him in the IPL 2014 Auctions, a costly pursuit which ended up in spending 14 crores on him, said: “It’s been very pleasing to see Yuvi bat like that. Many people have written him off recently but all those who doubted him should put those doubts to rest.”

“In life and cricket he has always come back stronger and for that I respect him a lot. He is a world class player and will remain so till he plays the game,” Kohli said, indicating Yuvraj’s courage in coming back from his battle with cancer.

When asked about the much needed win that came against the Daredevils, a happy Kohli said, “Feels amazing, really wanted that win. In the field, we made a few lapses but overall a good performance.”

“It’s important not to panic and this time I told Yuzvendra Chahal to back himself and I backed my bowlers too. We have to take it one game at a time and the results will follow,” he added.

Yuvraj revealed his RCB teammate and former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s role in his comeback. He said: “It was important we finished well. I started really well and just kept believing in myself and seniors like Daniel Vettori and Muttiah Muralitharan believed in me. I wanted to come to a place where I can be myself and play my game and thanks to Vijay Mallya for bringing me over here.”

Meanwhile, the losing Daredevils’ skipper Kevin Pietersen found it difficult to not praise Yuvraj. He said, “I can tell you something for free. That man over there (Yuvraj) batted like an absolute superstar. He has proven a lot of people wrong. Yuvraj was just unbelievable.”