Father Yograj Singh "persuaded" son Yuvraj to retire from cricket

Banff:  Former India fast bowler Yograj Singh, who happens to be the father of all-rounder Yuvraj Singh "persuaded" his son to announce the retirement.

On Monday, the 37-year old Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from international cricket and the IPL.

"It was entirely my call", the father, speaking exclusively over telephone said, We were together for two days on 2nd and 3rd June and then I persuaded him to take retirement from the game".

"I told him to retire gracefully and with dignity. If the selectors don't pick him (for the international matches), there was no point in hanging around".

"Cricket started between me and him 36 years ago. When he was hardly one and a half year old. His grandmother gave him a bat and I can recall the day when he broke the balcony glass. Cricket was in his blood and he played for the country. It is a great honour and I feel proud of him", the father added.

"In the year 1982, I had predicted that somebody from my family would be an all-rounder (Yograj Singh has sent a clipping of the newspaper- The Tribune)".    

"You take my word, it is definitely going to be my son who is at present only one and a half-year-old", he had said in the new paper interview then.

"Thank you Yuvi, my son for keeping the honour and dignity of our family intact. My dream is fulfilled", Yograj concluded.