'No one is going to watch TV or read the newspaper': Yuvraj Singh reveals Sachin Tendulkar, Gary Kirsten's strict instructions during ODI World Cup 2011 campaign

India’s ODI and T20 World Cup-winner Yuvraj Singh recently shared a previously untold story from India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, shedding light on the intense pressure the team faced during the tournament.

Yuvraj revealed that the loss against South Africa in the group stage in Nagpur put immense pressure on then-captain MS Dhoni and the whole team.. This defeat came shortly after India’s dramatic tie against England at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. In response to the mounting criticism, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and head coach Gary Kirsten advised the players to avoid watching television news or read newspapers to stay disconnected from the outside noise and negativity.

“I will give you an example of what we felt at that time. Until then, no country had won the World Cup at home, and it had been 28 years since we won a World Cup. I remember we tied the game against England and we lost to South Africa, from a winning position. We got a lot of backlash,” Yuvraj said at an ICC event in Mumbai on August 11.

"I remember Sachin Tendulkar and coach Gary Kirsten coming and having a chat with us – ‘From here on what are the things we need to do to win the tournament – no one is going to watch TV; no one is going to read the newspaper; when you walk towards the ground put your headphones on, to focus on the field. While going back to your room, put your headphones back on. Cut the noise and try to do what you need to do to win the tournament,” he added.

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Yuvraj’s stunning all-round performance in World Cup 2011

Yuvraj, who was battling cancer during the tournament, delivered a magnificent all-round performance — amassing 362 runs and taking 15 wickets. His all-round brilliance earned him the Man of the Series award. He also joined an elite list of players — alongside Sri Lanka's Aravinda de Silva and South Africa's Lance Klusener, to win four Man of the Match awards in a single edition of World Cup.

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Yuvraj’s advice to Harmanpreet’s brigade

Looking ahead to the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup to be hosted in Mumbai, Singh offered words of encouragement to Harmanpreet Kaur’s side. He urged the team to stay grounded, remain focused, and take each moment as it comes.

“It’s about ‘being in the moment, and let’s try to do this as a team’. We did that and it worked. I am not saying it is going to work for you as well. I am just saying that the team has to focus on something which makes everyone believe that ‘if we do this, it might work for us',” said the 43-year-old.

“Every time you walk into a game you have to believe you want to win the game for your country. If Smriti gets out, then Harman has to say I am going to shine, if Harman gets out then she should believe that Jemimah is there. You have got to believe as a team, every time I walk out to bowl or bat I am the person who is going to make the difference. If all 11 believe that, then the results will follow,” he added.

The ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 will begin on September 30 with hosts India taking on Sri Lanka at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.