Yuvraj Singh is the only Indian cricketer to win Under 19, T20 and 50 over World Cups. He is often hailed as one of the greatest all-rounders the game of cricket has ever produced. His journey is phenomenal, from battling cancer to winning the man of the tournament in the Under 19 and ODI World Cups.
Here are Yuvraj Singh’s seven memorable innings that no one can forget:
58 vs England, 2007 T20 World Cup
In the inaugural T20 world cup, Yuvraj Singh was a force to reckon with. His inning at Durban is etched in every Indian cricket lover’s mind and heart forever. He broke two significant records by hitting the fastest International half-century in 12 balls and depositing six consecutive sixes in the stands off Stuart Broad’s bowling. His inning also helped India cross the 200 run mark for the first time in the T20s.
150 vs England, 2nd ODI, England Tour of India 2007
India was reeling under heavy pressure when Yuvraj Singh stepped foot on the crease at 22/2. He lost another partner in Virat Kohli at the team score of 25. That is when the might of Yuvi shined. He refused to resign against the lethal bowling line-up of England & started counterattacking the pace-heavy attack. He, along with Dhoni, forged a 256 run partnership. India ended up scoring 381/6 on the back of his match-winning 150.
84 vs Australia, ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000
Playing his first international innings, Yuvraj Singh was perhaps greeted by the most formidable bowling line-up ever, comprising McGrath, Lee and Gillespie. He came in when India was 90/3 and blasted the Australians in his first inning. He fell short of a debut hundred but put up 84 off 80 to help India beat Australia in an ICC event.
70 vs Australia, Semi-Final, 2007 T20 World Cup
India scored at less than a hundred strike rate when Yuvraj Singh got promoted to bat at number four in the crucial semi-final. He came and obliterated the Australian bowling line-up. He scored 70 off 30, consisting of five fours and five sixes. His innings helped India post 188/5, leading India to win by 15 runs against the Kangaroos.
69 vs England, Netwest Series Final, 2002
Chasing a massive total of 325, India were 132/4 when Yuvi entered the playing field. Soon Sachin Tendulkar also fell against Giles. At this moment, Yuvraj Singh decided to showcase a dogged persistence and put up a partnership of 121 runs against the Englishmen. His 69 off 63 almost secured the victory for India & ended up being one of the reasons behind Dada’s epic shirtless celebration in the Lord’s balcony.
112 vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, India Tour of Pakistan, 2004
In the 2nd test match of the 2004 Pakistan tour, the Indian team was riding high on confidence after winning the 1st match. However, against the bowling line-up featuring Akhtar, Sami and Gul, the Indian batters were no good. At this conjecture, a young batting prodigy, Yuvraj Singh, scored 112 off just 129 to help India post a respectable total. Even though India ended up losing the match, this inning of Yuvraj Singh was of the calibre that no one could forget.
72 vs Pakistan, 2nd T20, Pakistan Tour of India, 2012
MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first & Yuvraj Singh was sent in to bat ats four when the top order failed to capitalise on their starts. Yuvi hammered the Pakistanis and smashed seven sixes and three fours to score 72 in just 36 balls. His destructive innings paved the way for India to post a massive match-winning total of 192 runs. He was awarded man of the match for his blistering knock & once again reminded us that perhaps he is the most impactful player India has ever seen in international cricket.