What separates just any young talented cricketer from a future Champion? Asking the age old question, "What separates the men from the boys?" one need look no further than Yuvraj Singh. When he walks out onto the field, the swagger of confidence tells its own story. As he stands tall at over six feet in height and looks down the wicket at the bowler there is a message that goes out to the bowler. Answering the earlier question, it is belief and attitude that makes the difference.

Yuvraj Singh believes that he can hit absolutely any bowler out of the attack. On his day, that is probably very accurate. No one who was at the P Saravanamuthu Stadium in Colombo will forget the large scale assault he launched on the unsuspecting Aussies in the semi finals of the recently concluded Youth World Cup.

When he hits the ball, it stays hit. There's no two ways about that. Using the clean long swing to good effect, Yuvraj spares no flourish when he is at the crease. Planting his front foot down the ground, the off side is Yuvraj's playground as he toys with the bowling. When the ball is short, it is recommended that people in the stands take cover. He thumps the ball effortlessly through the line sending it out of reach of any fielder.

Most people would be content just batting if they had the ability Yuvraj wields with such panache. But not this young man. He has learnt the value of bowling tidy off spinners. Once again it is a mature head on his shoulders that comes to the fore. Bowling well within his limitations, Yuvraj picks wickets more with planning than with sheer guile.

At 19, he is already an all rounder who has proven himself. One need look no further than his performance in the domestic youth competition and in the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. In the finals of the Cooch Behar Trophy, Yuvraj made 358 against Bihar. Any batsman who has the ability to play an innings of that length will be a force to reckon with. Following that performance up with what was an extremely successful World Cup in Sri Lanka, Yuvraj caught the eye of many a cricket pundit. He was named player of the series in the tournament.