India’s one of the best all-rounder Yuvraj Singh announced retirement from all forms of international cricket on June 10. The 37-year old southpaw called it off in a press conference in Mumbai.
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Yuvraj Singh emerged as a young talent during Under-19 World Cup 2000. He, after becoming the player of the tournament was recruited by Sourav Ganguly who was then busy rebuilding Indian team. In his second ODI Yuvraj smashed 80-ball 84 against Australia to announce himself. His run chase in Natwest Series final in 2002 made him a permanent member of Ganguly’s men in blue. He got his test cap in 2003 although he was a proved ODI specialist and all-rounder. In 304 ODIs he scored 8701 runs with 14 hundreds and 52 half-centuries and took 111 wickets. He was featured in 40 test matches for India where he scored 1900 runs.
The Journey
While talking about his journey, Yuvi recalled, “I would say I am extremely lucky to play 400-plus games for India. I would’ve not imagined doing this when I started my career as a cricketer. Through this journey, some matches that remain in my memory are – the 2002 NatWest series final, my first Test hundred in Lahore in 2004, the 2007 Test series in England, of course, the six sixes and the 2007 T20 World Cup. And then the most memorable one was the 2011 World Cup finals.”
He was the key player for India’s triumph in 2011 World Cup after 28 years. With 362 runs and 15 wickets, he became the player of the tournament. His six sixes in a single over against Stuart Broad in the 2007 World T20 is one of the most cherished Indian cricket moments. A battle with cancer took a lot away from the player he used to be earlier. Technically he played 2011 World Cup with cancer. Post-treatment he returned in 2013 only to face an uncertain future. He finally played his last ODI in 2017 during the away tour of West Indies.
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