By IANS
Chandigarh : The hometown of Indian cricket’s ‘Sixer Singh’ Yuvraj Singh is rejoicing in the glory of his smashing innings in the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.
And ‘Yuvi’ – as he is known among friends and cricketing circles – has suddenly got people in Chandigarh and Punjab rooting for his aggressive batting.
At his father’s home here, bhangra dancers pepped up the atmosphere at midnight as Yuvi went about hitting sixes in India’s crucial do-or-die encounter with cricket world champions Australia at Durban Saturday night.
“I want him to play to win the game for India every time,” Yuvraj’s ecstatic father and former Test player Yograj Singh said after his son’s second smashing performance in the tournament.
Yuvraj has now hit 12 sixes in just two matches – against the formidable Australians and South Africans – including the longest one in the tournament measured at 119 metres.
Yograj said he expects much more from his son.
“I expect him to score a 100 every time he plays. I have trained him to play that way. He must continue hitting these powerful shots,” Yograj said as he celebrated his son’s new avatar.
Yograj, who has had his share of controversies on and off the field, personally coached his son after virtually pulling him away from Yuvi’s first love – roller-skating.
The 49-year-old Yograj is a contemporary of the legendary Kapil Dev, also a Chandigarh native, and represented India in one Test and six one-day internationals.
Yuvraj trained at the DAV school and college grounds here besides the Sector 16 cricket stadium. He represents Punjab and North Zone in domestic cricket.
Yuvi had hit England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over last week. India followed up that victory by knocking hosts South Africa out of the tournament Thursday even though Yuvraj did not play that match due to an elbow injury.
The southpaw told TV commentator Ravi Shastri that his father fired six bullets in the air to celebrate the (Yuvraj’s) six sixes blitzkrieg in the match against England.
“The hype for the match was already there. And what Yuvi and other Indian players did to Australia really set the stage on fire. It was such a good match to watch. I did not mind losing sleep hours to watch it. I hope that India now wins the final against Pakistan,” hotel executive Manisha told IANS here.
People burst crackers all round Yuvi’s hometown after the young Indian team beat the mighty Australians Saturday night.
“We had so many relatives at home as it is my brother’s wedding Sunday. We were all glued to the TV and had a noisy and enjoyable time. I wish the Indian team always plays like this,” lawyer Rajesh Bhatia said.
“I want India to beat Pakistan. They have really done well in the last three matches. Yuvi has been great,” added 10-year-old Adiraj Singh, an ardent cricket fan.