CHANDIGARH, Jan 31: At a hindsight, one feels that Yuvraj Singh should not have made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab two years back, when he was only fifteen. The result then, against Orissa was disastrous consumed up by Debashish Mohanty for a blob. It was a none-too-pleasant scenario for him, even the fear of starting all over again.However, the brave son of an equally brave father (former India fast bowler Yograj Singh) would not let all this bother him. Sure, he was facing the tide, but rather than being swept away he tried his best and surfed it. And the results 278 in the Cooch Behar Trophy (under 19) quarterfinal against Railways, 140 against Bengal in the semifinals and a fighting 54 against the Rest of India in the M A Chidambram Trophy, confirm his growing stature as one of the most talented youngsters in the country at the moment. Yuvraj is more mature even his body language would show and feels that ``the transition between age-groups to first class cricket is not that smooth. The more you play and the more experience you gain thus, keeps you in good stead. This year I am playing in a more relaxed frame of mind and that's why the runs are also coming.''A probable in the ongoing Punjab camp for the Super League matches, Yuvraj in all probability has sealed his place in the final 16, courtesy the form he has been carrying this season, coupled with the state selectors' emphasis on youth. For Punjab, who made history by winning both the age group tournaments (Cooch Behar and Vijay Merchant (u-16)), it really is heartening to know that the youngsters they have groomed recently, are living upto the expectations. With Yuvraj, his being a left-handed opening batsman, can always work to his advantage.Standing 5 ft 11 inches, Yuvraj carries the punch in his strokes. A terror in the age-group tourneys with his amazing capability to hit big sixes, Yuvraj, has been working on his defence lately. ``Playing Ranji Trophy will be a different ball-game altogether, so he ought not to have any chinks. Of course there will be seniors like Sherry (Navjot Sidhu) and Vikram Rathore to guide him, but he should not waste this chance. Let's hope he does justice to his potential,'' says father Yograj Singh.His asset as a left-arm spinner doubles his utility. He had a haul of six in the knockouts and was the leading wickettaker in the Inter-Zonals with nine wickets. ``I am more of a batting-allrounder, but I love to bowl,'' Yuvraj informs.Yuvraj has already come in for praise by former Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, who has been quoted as saying that ``Yuvraj is the best young talent he has seen since Sachin Tendulkar''.That is no mean acheivement for the youngster, who took upto the game merely four years back. ``Someone (a senior cricketer) had told me that he (Yuvraj) did not have the capability to become a cricketer as he was very casual in his approach. When I told Yuvi about this, he just said I have to prove him wrong. I suppose, he can be termed a decent cricketer now,'' Yograj says in a lighter vein.For Yuvi, the real battle starts now. He not only has to live upto the expectations attached with his father's name, he also has to show that he is made for the Bigger League.
