NEW DELHI, July 24: Middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh’s confession that he likes partying does not make him an irresponsible cricketer but current lack of form makes him susceptible to criticism, feels former opener Chetan Chauhan.

“Yuvraj is not irresponsible. He is currently not in form and so he is facing criticism. The matches were in afternoon and the late night outing could not have possibly affected his game. He is a brilliant player,” Chauhan said.

Yuvraj was lashed out at by former all-rounder Kapil Dev after the Punjab batsman told a magazine that he liked partying if it did not affect his cricket.

Chauhan, who was here for the launch of Pawan Arora’s book ‘Cricket Inc or Cricket? Money, Muscle and Marketing’, said Yuvraj should work hard to convert his talent into performance.

“Complacency can ring a death bell to one’s career. So its important, Yuvraj focusses on game and works hard and convert his talent into performance,” he said.

Asked as who would prove to be more dangerous for India between Ajanta Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan in the ongoing Test matches, Chauhan said, Murali was more lethal than Mendies.

“Mendis might trouble the Indians for a day or two but he will fizzle out in the long run. I feel Murali to be more dangerous,” he said.—Agencies