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New Delhi: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh shared a light-hearted moment on social media after receiving a birthday gift from Rishabh Pant, while also jokingly calling out his other protégés for not matching the gesture.

Taking to Instagram, Yuvraj posted a picture of a premium golf club gifted by Pant, complete with a heartfelt message that read, “Dear Yuvi paaji, thank you for your support and guidance. See you on the golf course.”

“Have some shame,” jokes Yuvraj

While expressing gratitude to Rishabh Pant, Yuvraj also took a playful dig at several young cricketers he has mentored. He tagged players including Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Naman Dhir, Abdul Samad and Priyansh Arya, jokingly telling them to “have some shame” for not sending him similar gifts.

The humorous post quickly gained traction, with fans enjoying the camaraderie between the former star and the new generation of players.

Yuvraj’s growing role as mentor

Even after retirement, Yuvraj Singh continues to play a significant role in shaping young Indian cricketers. Over the past few years, he has worked closely with emerging talents, helping them refine their batting skills, particularly in white-ball cricket.

Players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have benefited from his guidance, while others such as Sanju Samson have also trained under him at various stages.

His influence has become increasingly visible in India’s T20 setup, where several players he has mentored have gone on to play key roles at the international level.

Pant’s challenging IPL season

For Rishabh Pant, however, the ongoing Indian Premier League season has been a difficult one.

Leading the Lucknow Super Giants, Pant has struggled for consistency, scoring 204 runs in nine matches at an average of 25.5 and a strike rate of 128.30. The team currently sits at the bottom of the points table with just four points from nine games.

Crucial matches ahead for Lucknow

With playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Lucknow Super Giants will look to turn things around in their upcoming fixtures. They are set to face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on May 7.

Conclusion

While Rishabh Pant’s thoughtful gesture highlighted the respect between mentor and student, Yuvraj Singh’s playful response added a touch of humour. Beyond the banter, the exchange reflects the strong bond and influence Yuvraj continues to have on India’s next generation of cricketers.