Yuvraj the most tech-savvy and well-networked in the national cricket team,

Emboldened cricket fan Swati Jha asks the colourful Yuvraj Singh what he likes doing best apart from cricket and gets a mere smiley.

But at least it's a reply, something Indian fans would trade an arm or a leg for, because she's one of the 5,550 tweeters who follow Yuvraj Singh's posts on social networking site Twitter. And Yuvraj, perhaps the most tech-savvy and well-networked in the national cricket team, has not only been remarkably active on Twitter, but has learnt to use frequent tweets and prompt tweet-replies to keep in touch with fans.

"It has been a great way to connect with my fans," Yuvraj told MiD DAY recently. A devoted Tweeter, he says, "As kids, we wanted to know what our icons did off the field and found out only through media reports. But with these social networking sites, stars can now interact with fans directly... without the fear of being misquoted or misrepresented. It's definitely a safe and direct way to interact with fans."

The flamboyant left-hander gets suggestions, requests and some overwhelming tweets too, he says. One fan told him he'd watched his ICC World Cup T20 innings 500 times. "Wow, that's a lot of times," came the southpaw's quick response.

Yuvraj manages to respond to his fans' tweets three to four times a week. "Time is a big factor, but I have my Blackberry," says Yuvraj, who follows the activities of a smattering of Bollywood tweeters including Preity Zinta, Karan Johar, Gul Panag, Neil Nitin Mukesh and A R Rahman, as well as international sportspersons like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal and Sania Mirza.

The response from his fans has been fabulous. "They keep coming back to me," he says. "When I started, I had about 100 fans. The register has increased to thousands now."

Yuvraj also plays big brother to fans, occasionally. One fan tweeted about bunking classes to watch his superstar play.

The star bat's response was mildly admonishing. "Even we bunked school and college to watch games. Obviously it is not right," Yuvraj says. "I tell my fans on Twitter to do the right thing." Advertisement

Deepika reunites with Yuvraj Singh

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone who recently broke up with beau Ranbir Kapoor reunited with her ex-beau Yuvraj Singh after almost two years. Well before you widen your eyes let us clear the air that no romantic sparks have been re-ignited between the two. The Om Shanti Om actress performed at that Sahara Indian Sports Awards in Mumbai in presence of the Men in Blue including the prince charming Yuvraj Singh.

The two exchanged smile when they came together on stage. Also present at that time was Mahendra Singh Dhoni whom Deepika was once said to be very fond off. It may be recalled that Deepika and Yuvraj had started going around during India’s tour to Australia in early 2008. She was spotted among the crowd in many matches but Ranbir snatched her from Yuvi’s life.

Now with the Ranbir chapter closed Deepika and Yuvraj might try to reignite their romantic flame again.

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Yuvraj singh checking out Fosters Girl

Naughty guy Yuvraj checking out hot Fosters girl during India’s match against Australia Advertisement

Yuvraj Singh's father set to play political innings

While cricketer Yuvraj Singh would be battling out in South Africa during the Champions Trophy, his father and former cricketer Yograj
Singh will be seen trying his luck in the forthcoming Haryana assembly elections as an Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidate from the newly-carved Panchkula constituency.

On Saturday, INLD general secretary Ajay Chautala released a list of 32 candidates, which also included Yograj Singhs name. When contacted, Yograj Singh said that he believes in the ideology of Chaudhary Devi Lal and would honour the decision taken by the party bosses.

Regarding the possibility of campaigning by his son, he said, “I have open doors and those who love Yograj Singh would come for campaigning. I do not want Yuvraj to leave his cricket and come for campaigning but if he feels that his father is above all things then he would definitely come.”

While Yograj Singh was busy receiving congratulatory calls, local INLD leaders could not hide their displeasure over his candidature. Panchkula city president of INLD, Manoj Aggarwal, said it would be better if the party chooses a local candidate. However, councillor Seema Chaudhary, who was among those seeking ticket from Panchkula, said they would accept the decision of party high command and support Yograj Singh. Advertisement

Yuvraj Singh's Village Should Be Trendsetter

Ever heard of an Indian village that aspired to have a sanitation system matching up to European standards? Well, there is one now - the village of ace cricketer Yuvraj Singh and his actor father, Yograj Singh, whose enterprising residents have set upon the task to accomplish that objective.

The Punjab government has already approved a Rs 2.78 crore project for laying sewerage and drinking water supply lines in the village. As much as 75 per cent of the total cost will be borne by the government as well as locals with nonresident Indians contributing the rest.

“ We have no dearth of money - there are about 300 NRIs belonging to our village settled in Canada, the United States and other countries. Almost all of them are keen to do something worthwhile for their village,” said Ranjit Pal Singh Bhandal, a former village sarpanch who himself lives in Canada.

Interestingly, Ranjit’s daughter, Gurneesh, who is doing MSc at the London School of Economics, has chosen the role played by NRIs in development of their native villages in Punjab as the topic for a research paper that is part of her academic curriculum. Ranjit’s brother, who also resides in Canada, is also at the forefront of efforts to improve amenities in the village.

Everything in the project’s first phase, including laying sewerage and water supply pipes, has been planned meticulously. “We have paid over Rs 1 lakh for getting detailed maps to scale of the entire village prepared,” said current Sarpanch Gurmeet Singh. “We want scientific and not haphazard development of the village and that is why we have engaged consultants and experts to do the job”, he added, proudly showing the copies of the maps on the development works in the village.

“We’ll undertake the entire responsibility and not involve government departments, which are notorious for shabby execution of such jobs”, said a member of the panchayat. After laying the sewerage and drinking water system, underground cables for power supply, TV network and Internet would also be laid, he added.

“We have decided on the kind of toilets to be constructed, how water would move out from homes to streets and how it would be taken to village ponds where treatment plants would be installed for it to be used in irrigation”, said Gurmeet Singh. “We have planned the sewerage and drinking water supply system keeping in mind the population growth in the village over the next 50 years”, said Parshotam Singh, a village nambardar.

Despite strong political affiliations with different political parties, the village residents are united on the goal of rapid development of the village. “We’re all working together to achieve our objective and avoid any sort of conflict that has political tones”, said Gurmeet.

A model of the development projects stands in one corner in Ranjit’s home. “Residents can get an idea of the various works that would be implemented in the village”, said Ranjit. Advertisement

Cricket is the reason for my very being: Yuvraj Singh

Indian in his outlook Yuvraj always prays before he enters the field, so is he superstitious too when Injury disrupts play? “I am not a superstitious person and so superstitious beliefs don’t bother me when I am playing,” he says.I think aloud; Bollywood and Cricket clash or can they co-exist? “Take the movie Lagaan as an example - the added flavour of cricket took the movie to a new height all together. Both Bollywood and Cricket evoke their own unique fervours with the Indian viewer and together they have the potential to create history” he says.Speaking of his unadorned style in clothes Yuvraj, who has produced UV, his own label with Reebok quips, “ Denims with bright graphics tees are my style mantra. To feel good is to look good. And Reebok helps me relax yet stay stylish.” Delve in a little more about his endorsement of this brand his fixation, he continues, “I have been with Reebok from the start of my career and I do not cease to be amazed by the constant innovation, the effort and detailing the brand puts into producing cricket related gear.” So does he give inputs to the design team, considering he is the brand ambassador? “I have been involved in the design aspects of the footwear line and they always include me in their design plans.” I quiz him on his alleged link-ups with Kim Sharma and Deepika Padukone.Not one to bite the persuasive bait he smiles coyly and insists on heaping praise on “my inspiration and one man I admire world-over is Sachin Tendulkar.” What about Indian women? He giggles and nods (as if to say, why won’t you relent) and continues, “Indian Women are the perfect amalgamation of sensitivity and smartness. They are the most beautiful women in the world.” Where does this young gun see himself ten years from now? “Married and settled with kids,” he says and blushes “and even more successful.” Just to give a feelgood end to our chat I tell him of our admiration for his youthful attitude, energy, sporty style and a simple sensuality.Giggling like a little child he intercepts “I don’t know if I have sensuality but I certainly posses the rest.” Let's hope he develops that too, in times to come. Advertisement

Yuvraj Singh defends cricketers' opposition to WADA

With several sportsperson saying that they have faced no major difficulty in following World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) code, cricketer Yuvraj Singh has strongly defended his teammates' decision to reject the code.

Sportspersons from all fields felt that cricketers had over-reacted in not signing the WADA code because they are ingnorant of the controversial 'whereabouts' clause.

Yuvraj said the needs of a cricketer were different from those of the fellow sportsperson.

"We probably play more than any other sportsperson. I think our concerns are different from theirs," he told CNN-IBN.

"We are playing cricket for nine or ten months, then come back home for like 10 days or so and you want your own privacy. You don't want to tell anyone where you are. You don't want to be intruded at that time when you are with your family and friends," he said.

"I feel that we are travelling the most and we play a lot of tournaments. I think we should be given more space, that's what we are asking for, with due respect to all the players."

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) backed its players and rejected the anti-doping norms of WADA, which requires players in International Cricket Council's (ICC) testing pool to furnish details of their whereabout three month in advance.

Athletes worldwide cutting across all sports have found the whereabouts clause an intrusion in their privacy as WADA officials can come any time and ask for a doping test.

Yuvraj said the meeting between top Indian players and the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Sunday went well and the BCCI backs their decision.

"I know a rule is a rule, but they should also understand our point of view. We put our points across to the board," he said.

"They (BCCI) were very understanding about our concerns. I'm sure they will speak to the ICC. I'm sure we will agree to whatever step they take."

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So Yuvraj's heart actually beats for Pooja?

He is Indian cricket's ultimate loverboy, making news as much for his dalliances as for his cricket. It now appears Yuvraj Singh hasn't changed much since his teens.

The elligible bachelor whose enviable list of dates includes names like Kim Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Minnisha Lamba, says that as a teenager he was a die-hard fan of Pooja Bhatt.

"I had this huge collection of Pooja Bhatt's posters. I was actually a big fan of her," said the cricketer while revealing that even today his heart does beat for the 'Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahi' girl.

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Yuvraj Singh Wary of WADA’s ‘whereabouts rule’

Middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh has said that the players were wary of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) controversial ‘whereabouts’ rule as it infringed on their privacy.

“We play cricket 9-10 months a year and our concern is whatever free time we get, we should be left to ourselves,” Singh said on the sidelines of a function here on Saturday.

The International Cricket Council became a WADA signatory in 2006 and the ICC board last year unanimously approved out-of-competition tests on cricketers in accordance with amendments made by WADA to the code.

According to media reports, India’s leading cricketers were unhappy with the whereabouts clause, which stipulates players must tell doping authorities where they will be for one hour every day over a set period of time.

WADA regulations say that three misses in 18 months could result in a two-year ban from international cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called for a working committee meeting on Sunday where the subject is expected to be discussed. Advertisement

Yuvraj singh-Mandira Bedi- what’s Cooking up!

According to sources from South Africa, Yuvraj Singh and Mandira Bedi is believed to be more than just good friends and are getting too cozy with each other these days. “They were very good friends earlier, but somewhere along the way they got too busy with their schedules and couldn’t really keep in touch,” says our source, adding that Yuvi and Mandy caught up in SA like more than just long-lost buddies. The cricketer and television hottie’s bonding hasn’t gone unnoticed. The two have even made it to the the famous ‘fakeiplplayer’ blog as the author writes, “Sometime during this tournament, the Prince and Sandy Baddy Babe have renewed their long friendship.
They have been seen together in clubs, hotel lobbies and corridors having long discussions on the finer nuances of the beautiful game.” Reportedly, Prince is the blogger’s name for Yuvraj Singh while Sandy Baddy Babe is Mandira Bedi. Now this is something that isn’t too hard to believe.. since the Kings XI Punjab captain is reported to be quite a ladies’ man, considering his partying ways in Mumbai, Delhi etc. That was after he had broken up with long-time girlfriend, actress Kim Sharma.

Yuvi and Kim were in a relationship for four years.. and were reportedly even considering marriage. But it is believed that his mother didn’t exactly approve of an actress bahu right from the time they committed to each other. Initially everything was hunky dory, but after a couple of years, his mother’s dominance began to show.

Yuvi, who’s known to be a maa ka laadla, reportedly gave in under pressure from her.. and gradually he and Kim drifted apart, sometime in the middle of 2007. It’s believed that Yuvi used to call and SMS her till last year, but wisened a year-and-a-half since their split, Kim didn’t revert to him. Advertisement