One of India's finest all-rounders, Yuvraj Singh has decided to call it quits after serving the nation for almost two decades.
The swashbuckling left-hander, who for years was a mainstay in India’s middle order, gave many memorable performances. He played a crucial role in India’s triumph at the 2011 ICC World Cup, for which he was awarded Man of the Tournament. He was also a key member of the Indian team that lifted the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007.
Yuvi donned the Indian colours for the last time in 2017 as indifferent form and health issues forced him out of national reckoning. Onmanorama picks five of his memorable knocks for India.
84 vs Australia (Nairobi, 2000)
The magnificent knock that came off just 80 balls was enough for Yuvraj to burst onto international cricket. The 18-year-old was picked in the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy tournament after his exploits in the U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. With India reeling at 90/3, against an Aussie attack comprising of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, Yuvraj stepped out and hit the very first ball he faced for a boundary behind square. He then made up his maiden fifty off a McGrath-delivery and enabled India to win by 20 runs and book their spot for the semifinal.
139 vs Australia (Sydney, 2004)
Playing in the seventh match of the VB series on 22 January 2004, Yuvraj produced a magnificent 139 against Australia, which arguably remains one of his finest batting effort overseas. He not only stabilised the Indian innings with VVS Laxman who also scored an unbeaten 109, but also slammed Ian Harvey for 22 runs in the penultimate over taking the score to 296. Although Australia won the game by two wickets and one ball to spare via D/L method, Yuvraj showed the immense talent he possess.
58 vs England (Durban, 2007)
Arguably one of the most famous T20 knocks in the history of the format. After Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir's 136-run opening stand, quick wickets had pegged back India's surge to post a big total. Coming in at 155/3, Yuvraj smashed the second ball, of the 17th over, he faced for a four, before launching an incredible assault on Stuart Broad. Yuvraj hit Broad for six sixes in the 19th over of the innings, becoming only the first player to achieve the feat against a Test-playing nation.
70 vs Australia (Durban, 2007)
An injury forced Yuvraj to miss the match against South Africa in the Super 8s stage before he returned to face Australia in the semifinals. Coming into bat at 41-2 with 12 overs still left in the Indian innings, Yuvraj raced to a 30-ball 70. He was involved in a 70-run partnership with captain MS Dhoni for the fourth wicket. His innings helped India reach 188 in the allocated 20 overs. The Aussies fell short by 15 runs, and India were through to the finals of the inaugural T20 World Cup, where they defeated Pakistan to win the crown.
57* vs Australia (Ahmedabad, 2011)
Australia are known to take their game a notch higher in important games of a major tournament. They were just three games away from retaining the World Cup in 2011. Leading from the front, Ricky Ponting struck a brilliant 104 as Australia posted 260/6. Yuvraj bowled economically with 2/44 in his 10 overs. At 187/5, Australia were on course to seal victory, but Yuvraj kept his cool with an unbeaten 57 and Suresh Raina, who played his first game of the tournament, scored an unbeaten 34 to guide India to a thrilling five-wicket win to take on Pakistan in the semifinal. Eventually India won the World Cup and Yuvi was at the other end as Dhoni struck the winning runs -- a six!
