Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh pleaded with fans not to crucify Yuvraj Singh for his lacklustre performance in the final of the World Twenty20 and warned against writing him off.
Tendulkar wrote on his Facebook page that Yuvraj, who took 21 balls for his 11 runs, had a tough day and should be criticised but should not be written off.
"It is the unpredictable nature of the game that makes cricket such an exciting sport. As cricketers, we always enjoy the applause when we succeed but it is the support and encouragement from fans during tough times that we appreciate the most," said Tendulkar.
Tendulkar reminded the fans when they took pride in Yuvraj's scintillating performances in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup in 2011.
"All of us took pride in the heroics of Yuvi when we won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and his outstanding contribution in the ODI World Cup win in 2011 will always be cherished.
"Last evening, Yuvi had a tough day and he can be criticized. But he should not be crucified nor should he be written off," he said.
Tendulkar said he admires Yuvraj's indomitable spirit and hoped that the southpaw will bounce back strongly.
"I have been an admirer of Yuvi's indomitable Spirit which has overcome many challenges, both on and off the field. Knowing Yuvi's determination and ability to fight adversities, he will emerge stronger, proving his critics wrong, yet again.
"Yuvi, one off day cannot undermine your tremendous contribution in many sweet memories over the years. You may be down today but you are far from being out," Tendulkar said.
Harbhajan also took to microblogging site Twitter to defend his team mate and close friend Yuvraj, who was the star of India's triumph in the 2007 World Twenty20 and the 2011 World Cup (50 overs) at home.
"Shocking to c every1 blaming @yuvstrong12. Guys this man has won u 2wc's. One of the rare match winners india has produced," Harbhajan tweeted.
Harbhajan pleaded with fans not to blast Yuvraj for just “one bad day”. Harbhajan asked fans to analyse Yuvraj's career in perspective.
"From 1st 19wc to natwest to 2007t20 to 2011wc. Find me a player who has done so much in big matches. 1 bad day n we become so bitter," Harbhajan said.
Harbhajan also wondered why Yuvraj was being made the scapegoat when there were 10 other players in the team as well.
"N pls don't forget he wasn't there alone. 10 others were there too. Let's admit better team won. Why to find a scapegoat. It's a team game," he said.
"We r a great team guys let's support our team and players," Harbhajan signed off.
