Batsman Yuvraj Singh has insisted he won’t simply go through the proverbial motions when the Indian Premier League gets under way in March next year.

The veteran left-hander has represented the Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

He will add a sixth franchise after being bought by the Mumbai Indians at Tuesday’s player auction in Jaipur.

‘The hunger is there, I’m not playing for the sake of playing,’ he told the Mumbai Mirror.

‘I am playing because I want to play and I’m passionate about playing. Hopefully in this season I will be able to deliver.

‘I am at the stage of my career where it could be presumed that I may be in the last stages. I had hoped that there would be buyers for me in the last round.

‘Somewhere within me there was a feeling that I might go to Mumbai. Frankly, I am looking at an opportunity to play this year, and it has come.’

The 37-year-old, who collected 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is between 2000 and 2017, is looking forward to working alongside former India teammates at Mumbai.

‘It will also be a familiar environment for me because director of cricket Zaheer Khan, mentor Sachin Tendulkar and captain Rohit Sharma are there. I have played a lot of cricket with them,’ he added.

‘When you have support, it motivates you to do well, it brings out the best in you.’

Photo: Gallo