Yuvraj takes 'easy approach' while leading Pune Warriors

MUMBAI - India’s World Cup star Yuvraj Singh said leading Kings XI Punjab in the the first two seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL) took a toll on his batting but now he wants to take it easy while leading Pune Warriors India.

And the easy approach worked for Yuvraj in the new entrants’ opening match against Kings XI here Sunday as Pune Warriors won their maiden IPL game by seven wickets at the D.Y. Patil Sports Complex here Sunday.

”The first two years that I captained Kings XI Punjab, I took a lot of pressure on myself and was getting distracted a lot on the field,” said Yuvraj.

”This time I just thought I’ll be calm and relaxed and that worked for me. It was a good toss to lose, we bowled wicket to wicket, back of a length and got the results.”

Kings XI, on the other hand looked out of sorts and skipper Adam Gilchrist rated the effort as a “poor all-round performance.”

”It was a poor all-round performance,” said Gilchrist. “It started with me in the first over and that set the tone for the innings.”

Gilchrist was unhappy with his butterfingered fielders, who dropped Yuvraj and big-hitter Robin Uthappa.

”A couple of catches could have been taken and that would have left them at five for 70 odd. We just weren’t good enough,” said the former Australian wicketkeeper.

The majority of the side is new this time around and Gilchrist said the team needs more time to settle down.

”We felt comfortable enough coming into this game, but we need to take little steps. We will go back and work on it, it’s a long tournament and the only way is up.

”(Ryan) McLaren was outstanding, the bowlers did create some chances, picked up wickets and there were several players who hadn’t played the IPL before so to be just involved in the experience, that is a positive in itself.”

• Cricket