Yuvraj is 'tough', will not melt like snow: Father Yograj

Chandigarh, Jan 7: His son and hero of the 2011 cricket World Cup may have been ignored for the next month's mega event, but cricketer-turned-actor Yograj Singh today said the development has not affected Yuvraj Singh's spirits as he is a tough guy who does not melt like snow and exuded confidence that he will bounce back soon.

India's World Cup squad;

"Yuvraj is not somebody who melts like snow, I have not raised him that way. He is a tough guy, who is known to weather every storm that comes his way. What if his caravan has left him behind, he too will race ahead and bounce back soon," the former Test cricketer told PTI today.

Yograj Singh said that his son always remains in high spirits no matter how difficult the situation he may be facing. "Oh no worries, dad, I will come to Chandigarh and we will practice soon, this was Yuvraj's message to me today," Yograj said.

Yuvraj Singh was not included in India's 15-member squad for the World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand from next month. Yograj recalled that how his cricketing career had been cut short "because of someone who did not wish to see me progress".

When asked if he feels that history was repeating itself now that Yuvraj too had been ignored and his recent and past contributions overlooked, Yograj said, "After all, there is justice in God's court. Even mighty rulers who had great false pride one day had to bite the dust".

When asked what would be his advice to Yuvraj at this stage will be, Yograj said, "I have taught my children to accept everything with grace and be prepared to face all kinds of situations."

'My son will reveal it all'

"Since I was a 5-year-old, my father taught me to be fearless and take on all adversities one faces in life. And these are the traits I passed on to Yuvraj Singh as well and he too is brave and fearless," he said.

He exuded confidence that one day Yuvraj Singh will become the captain of the Indian cricket team. "He will play for seven more years. He is very determined. I know what is happening (why he is being ignored and not selected in team) and for a long time, but this is not the platform (through media) where I will discuss these things," he said. "I promise you that when my son retires, I will reveal it all (the injustices meted out to him)," he said.

To a question, he said that players like Yuvraj, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag are of that calibre who do not need the selection certificate.

"For 15 years, he (Yuvraj) has given his blood and sweat to the Indian team, he was battling cancer, yet he fought hard and brought the (2011) World Cup back to India after a long gap. He fought with the ailment successfully... Our job is to play cricket, do our best and leave rest to God," he further said.

Yograj said that it was his dream to see Yuvraj as a cricketer. "He wanted to become a tennis player, but I was keen to make him a cricketer and I must say this with pride that he has not let me down," he added.

PTI