In addition to coaching Yuvraj, he also trained Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun Tendulkar.
Yograj is recognised as a demanding coach, known for his rigorous training methods and challenging regimes for his students.Yograj is renowned for his forthright and sometimes controversial statements, which have once again drawn attention.
In a viral social media video, when asked about the mindset a child should have when coming to train with him, Yograj responded, “First of all, the fear of death should end.”
He then shared a personal story, saying, “When I was three years old, my dad told my mom that we were going on a tiger hunt. My mom was afraid.”
Recounting the conversation, Yograj continued, “My dad said ‘If he dies, it won’t make any difference. But I will make him like a tiger’. So that three year kid is sitting with his mother in the jungle of Kaladhungi (in Nainital district). My father was carrying a rifle and it was a moonlit night. We were sitting on a machaan (elevated platform). And then the tiger came, the kid was about to shout but my mom held his mouth. Then my dad shot the tiger from six feet. Shot dead in the head. He fell like a mountain.”
“The kid was speechless. My father told my mom to take me down. He then held me and said, “sher ka baccha ghas nahi khata (a tiger cub doesn’t eat grass). That voice went like an echo. He made me sit on the tiger and smeared its blood on my lips and forehead. I still have that photo in my home.
“I have made Yuvraj like that. Fearless.”
Throughout his career, Yograj represented India in one Test and six ODIs.
