Mumbai : Making a comeback into the Indian team might still be a dream albeit a distant one, senior pro Yuvraj Singh today said that he will continue playing the game as long as he is enjoying it.
”I enjoy playing cricket and it was always my passion as a young kid. So, as long as I am enjoying it, I want to play,” Yuvraj told mediapersons ahead of their Ranji Trophy group league encounter against Mumbai.
”I just want to play and enjoy my cricket. If I get an opportunity to come back and play for India, I would look forward to that. But these are the games, which will give me opportunity to come back so I am trying my best,” said the stylish left-handed batsman.
A two-time World Cup winner (2007 World T20 and 2011 50-over World Cup), Yuvraj still harbours hopes of being in the mix for next year's World T20.
”A World Cup is a World Cup, whether it is T20 or 50 overs. It's always an honour to play another World Cup. (But) I am not thinking so far ahead, I am just thinking (about it) game by game, how my game is going and how I can improve. So that's what my target is,” he explained.
Queried how he kept himself motivated, Yuvraj mentioned how during one conversation with Sachin Tendulkar, the cricket legend had told him about the importance of enjoying the game.
”It's just that passion to play the game. I was speaking to Sachin last year and he said that, obviously the most important thing is to play for India but don't forget to enjoy the game. As young kids, we always played the game to enjoy it.We never knew (then) that we were going to play for India.” Asked whether he had nurtured an idea to quit the game altogether, Yuvraj paused for some time and said, “You have your moments in life where games are disappointing and they don't go your way.
”But as I said, what do you play cricket for? You play your cricket just to enjoy the game. So, as long as I am doing that - whether it's domestic (cricket) or internationals - which is the main part, am always looking forward to do that and win for the team.”
He also welcomed Tendulkar's new venture to take T20 cricket to the USA through a series of games featuring himself and fellow cricket legends like Shane Warne and Brian Lara.
”It's great. Sachin has taken cricket to other parts of the world. I am sure there are a lot of people from Asia who play over there. It's an opportunity for them to play there and meet Sachin. So, I think it's a great thing for cricket.”
