Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has opened up about fatherhood, parenting and raising children. Yuvraj, who is married to British-Mauritian actress and model Hazel Keech, said becoming a parent has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life.The couple, who tied the knot in 2016 in both Sikh and Hindu ceremonies, are parents to son Orion and daughter Aura.
‘It’s an amazing feeling to be a dad’
Talking about how life changed after becoming a father, Yuvraj told My FM India, “Oh, life’s been amazing. I think meri maa mujhe bolti hoti thi, ya dad mujhe bolte the, ‘Jab tera bachcha hoga na tab tujhe pata lagega kya hota hai woh pyaar.’ I think woh pyaar ek aisa hai jo aapko experience karna chahiye. It is an amazing feeling to be a dad.”He further added, “Jaise-jaise mere bachche bade ho rahe hain, interactions, aapke khud ke genetics, usi tarah harkatein thoda usi tarah dikhna… I think it’s the best feeling in the world to be a parent. It’s hard for all parents, but it’s just amazing to be a dad.”
‘Children should experience everything’
Yuvraj, son of former cricketer-actor Yograj Singh and Shabnam Singh, also spoke about how he would approach parenting differently from the previous generation.When asked how he would react if his children chose a completely different path like roller skating instead of cricket, the former cricketer said children should be allowed to explore everything.“In my experience, bachchon ko sab kuch karna chahiye. Sport ho, padhai ho, they should experience all sports. Jo bhi mann hai khelne ka. Whatever they are good at, they should pick it and work hard in it,” he shared.
‘There’s a thin line in pushing kids’
However, Yuvraj stressed that parents should know where to draw the line while pushing children towards excellence.“I feel force utna hi karna chahiye jitne ki zarurat hai. That is a very thin line — kitna you can push your kid,” he said.Reflecting on how athletes of his generation were raised, Yuvraj added, “In our generation, dads who were players would push a lot, including mine.”
Yuvraj recalls making Abhishek Sharma mop the gym floor
The cricket icon also revealed that his coaching style with young players is influenced by lessons from his own upbringing. Speaking about mentoring cricketer Abhishek Sharma, he said, “Jo mere dad ne mujhe sikhaya hai aur jo mujhe lagta hai ki yeh cheez nahi karni chahiye, toh I can do better things around to get the same skill out.”Sharing a humorous anecdote, Yuvraj said, “For example, agar koi late hota hai ya discipline nahi hai toh matlab usse 50 rounds aur bhaga diye, 40 minute aur marwa di. Waise abhi Abhishek Sharma ko gym mein pocha marwaya tha. Uske baad woh late nahi hua.”