Yuvraj Singh Retires: 5 Times World Cup 2011 Hero Won Games for India
A flamboyant batsman Yuvraj Singh has decided to call it quits after serving Indian cricket for almost two decades. The left-hander, who for years helmed Indian cricket team’s middle order batting, has called a press conference at a Mumbai hotel today, where he is likely to announce his retirement from international cricket, according to a Press Trust of India report. Yuvraj Singh played a key role in India’s triumph at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, winning Man of the Tournament for the former. A match-winning player, Yuvraj Singh could take the opposition to cleaners on his day, as is evident from these five memorable performances.
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Under-19 World Cup, 2000: Yuvraj Singh arrived on the international cricket scene with a swashbuckling knock of 68 runs in India’s third game in 2000 Under-19 World Cup against New Zealand. He followed it up with a four-wicket haul to earn the man of the match award. Yuvraj scored 203 runs including two fifties in and took 12 wickets in the tournament, which India won by defeating hosts Sri Lanka in the finals. (Image: Instagram)
ICC Knockout, 2000: That same year, Yuvraj Singh made the cricket world take notice of his batting talent when he scored 84 of 80 balls, in his first ever ODI innings no less, against a top-notch bowling attack of Australia which had already sent India’s three batting maestros— Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid - back to the pavilion. His innings which included 12 elegant boundaries helped India win the Quarter Final to eventually reach the finals of the tournament. (Image: Reuters)
Natwest Tri-Series England,, 2002: Yuvraj Singh established his reputation as a match-winner when he, along with Mohammad Kaif, snatched a historic win from England in the 2002 Natwest Tri-Series final. Batting first, England had posted a 325 score on the board and it took a Yuvraj Singh special for India to make the highest chase in a tournament final. Having sent India’s top batsmen— Saurav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar – back to the pillion, the English team was well on course for a victory when Yuvraj and Kaif put on a 121-run partnership to see their team through. Yuvraj got out for 69 after hitting nine fours and a sixer while Kaif scored 87 not out to ensure a thriller two-wicket victory for India. (Image: Reuters)
ICC World T20, 2007: India had been struggling in limited overs cricket for the year prior to the inaugural World T20. Many senior players had decided to sit out after the team’s lacklustre performance in the 50-over World Cup, giving Yuvraj Singh yet another chance to showcase his match-winning abilities. In their second super-eights match against England, India were 136 for zero when they lost three wickets for 19 runs, leaving Yuvraj Singh in the thick of the action with newly- appointed captain MS Dhoni. Although Yuvraj Singh got into a verbal tiff with England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, it was the young Stuart Broad who had to bear the brunt. Broad was smashed for a huge six on the first ball, followed by five more maximums, for a record six sixes in an over in a T20 international. It took Yuvraj just 12 balls to score the fastest ever T20 fifty. Yuvraj’s crucial two innings in the tournament helped India win a cricket World Cup after 24 years.(Image: Reuters)
ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011: Yuvraj Singh won the Man of The Tournament for helping India lift its second ODI cricket world cup. His most crucial performance in the tournament came against India’s quarter-final match against the Ricky Ponting-led Australia. Facing a target of 261, India were left needing 74 of the last 12 overs against the likes of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson. (Image: Reuters)
Batting with newcomer Suresh Raina, Yuvraj saw India through an unbeaten 65-ball 57 and a signature cover drives off Brett Lee to knock the Aussies out of the tournament and win his fourth Man of the Match award in the tournament. (Image: Reuters)
Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli celebrate after defeating Sri Lanka during their ICC Cricket World Cup final cricket match in Mumbai. (Image: Reuters)
