NEW DELHI: Former India star Yuvraj Singh, who met the Indian team ahead of the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur on Thursday, said it felt special to reconnect with the current players and revisit the dressing-room energy he once shared with his teammates.

Reflecting on the bond within Indian cricket, Yuvraj said conversations within the group often sparked the fire needed to go out and perform at the highest level.

Yuvraj, who has been tracking the progress of the younger players closely over the last few years, praised India's white-ball strength. He said the team remains one of the strongest in both the T20 and ODI formats, and expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

"It's just happy to, you know, catch up with the boys, talk to them. And now that, you know, the other side, looking out for them is natural. I remember we always had a hurdle, always had a spark of conversation that would ignite us to go in there and perform, Yuvraj said in a video posted by BCCI on social media.

World Cup heroes reunite! Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir light up Mullanpur with heartwarming moment

"I really enjoyed it. You know, I've been watching these guys and looking at their progress in the last couple of years. And when it comes to T20 format, and one-day format, we are the best side. You know, the T20 World Cup is coming, so I'm sure the preparations are going," he added.

"I have no doubt India will reach the last four, maybe even the final," he said, backing the squad to deliver on the big stage. At the same time, he stressed that his pride in the team goes beyond wins and losses.

Having been part of Indian sides that suffered tough defeats as well as celebrated iconic victories, Yuvraj said the only thing that truly matters is togetherness. "If they stick together as a team," he said, "the results will show on the field."

Yuvraj and Harmanpreet Kaur honoured

In a historic moment, World Cup winners Yuvraj and Harmanpreet Kaur were on Thursday immortalized at the New Chandigarh Stadium with stands named in their honour.

Yuvraj, player of the tournament for the 2011 ODI World Cup, and Harmanpreet, who recently captained India to their first ever Women's World Cup trophy, were surrounded by friends, family and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the occasion.

His longtime teammate Harbhajan Singh has a pavilion named after him at the stadium and Harmanpreet joined him on the other side of the sightscreen on Thursday.