Inspired by Bishan Singh Bedi: Yuvraj Singh opens up on his coaching mantra

India legend Yuvraj Singh recently opened up about his coaching and mentoring philosophy, revealing that much of his approach is inspired by his own mentor, the late Bishan Singh Bedi. Yuvraj, known for his fearless and match-winning performances, has often credited Bedi for shaping his cricketing journey.
Even today, Yuvraj continues to follow many of the principles instilled in him by Bedi while mentoring the new generation of Indian cricket stars like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. At a special event organized by Bollywood actors Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia to honor the late Bishan Singh Bedi, Yuvraj discussed how deeply Bedi’s teachings influence his own mentoring style.
In an exclusive interaction with Indiatoday.in, the 2011 ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament shared that his coaching mantra stems from the lessons he learned both on and off the field under Bedi’s guidance. Yuvraj emphasized that his focus is not just on honing the technical skills of young players but also on instilling the values of discipline, mental toughness, and adaptability-traits he learned from Bedi.
“See, all the people I have learned from, whether it is in cricket or life, I try and implement it in my coaching or mentoring. Sir taught me a lot of good things, I implement it. Cricket has changed a lot…Its been 5 years since I have retired. So you have to adapat to what is in demand today,” Yuvraj said.
During the event, Yuvraj also spoke about the importance of evolving with the ever-changing nature of cricket. According to Yuvraj, while the fundamentals of the game remain the same, young players must be equipped to handle the pressures of contemporary cricket, a message that echoes Bedi’s wisdom.
After Bedi’s passing, Yuvraj paid a heartfelt tribute to his mentor on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, reflecting on the personal impact Bedi had on his life. Yuvraj revealed that during his financial struggles early in his career, it was Bedi who stepped in to offer support and guidance beyond the cricket field.
“Bedi sir was a mentor to me. At times when I was short of money, he made me focus on training rather than the fees and encouraged me to practice. He, along with my father, made me understand the value of hard work!” Yuvraj wrote in his post. Since retiring from professional cricket in 2019, Yuvraj has taken an active role in developing young talent, especially in Punjab.
Players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are shining examples of cricketers who have benefitted from Yuvraj’s mentorship. Under his guidance, they have risen to prominence, carrying forward the legacy of Indian cricket that Yuvraj and his mentor Bedi helped build.