The game
of cricket has been privileged to witness many classy lefthanders who have
stood out of the others in their unique way. Starting from S Ganguly to David
Warner, world cricket has rejoiced with their amazing batting talent. Eras have
changed and with that techniques have changed too, but then again; nothing is comprehensive
than a left-hander’s majestic play through the off side. The flashy cover drives
and scintillating off drives are the sweetest treats to the eyes. Among these
left-handers, Yuvraj Singh aka the Prince with his amazing ‘back lift’ and ‘bat
swing’ was unmatched by any other lefthander.
Start to
illustrious career: 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy
Owing to
his awesome performances in ICC Under 19 World Cup 2000, Yuvi was selected 2000
ICC Knockout Trophy (ICC Champions Trophy). Yuvi, the young prodigy, played a
blistering knock of 84 (80) in the quarter final of the tournament. In his knock,
he attacked the likes of Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath with such an ease that ridiculed
their existence in that match. This was a start of illustrious career which lasted
over one and half decade and gave India many rejoiceful moments to dwell on.
2002 NatWest
Series in England:
Although, the
lefthander played a crucial part in India’s white-ball set-up, he had a mix run
throughout his career in 2000s. However, Yuvi with his prowess, always stood up
in crucial times. The NatWest Series finals in 2002 is a perfect example.
When India was reeling at 146 for 5 (chasing 326), Yuvi along M Kaif stitched together
a famous partnership of 121 for sixth wicket, wherein he scored a scrumptious
69 (63) pacing his innings with ones and twos and attacking the bowlers whenever
necessary. This innings along with his other innings in that era proved very important
for India.
2007 ICC
T20 World Cup:
As a viewer
expecting fireworks in T20 games, I was always thrilled to watch Yuvi’s attacking
skills. The gift of timing through the off side and tremendous power that he generated
for striking was a treat to watch. Same was the case in T20 World Cup 2007. As
cricket was understanding its newest baby, Yuvi defied the act of striking and presumably
struck one of the most muscular knocks in world cricket against England. No one
can ever forget those 6 sixes in an over against Stuart Broad. The ball
flew to each and every part of the ground and asserted him as of the fiercest
strikers in the gentlemen’s game. Even in semis against Australia, his muscularity
and familiarity with Australia continued when he scored 70 of 30 balls.
In that game, Brett Lee was struck for a long 120 m six, the longest in the
tournament.
2011 ICC
Cricket World Cup:
Yuvi’s career
was defining in itself, unlike any top-order batsman (who get maximum number of
balls) he batted in middle order or lower-middle order throughout his career. To
achieve such a great feat in the most difficult positions is truly unimaginable.
In 2011, we saw the same with his all-round skills which were precious to the
team. In crucial times, when team required vital runs and wickets in the middle
phase of the innings, Dhoni always relied on Yuvi. Left-hander was truly a hero
in the tournament with both bat and ball scoring 363 runs and picking 15 wickets
respectively.
Life after
battling against cancer:
In 2011, Yuvi
was battling against respiratory difficulties, he even batted with those against
the Windies and scored a match-winning hundred in the World Cup. However,
the problems started to worsen, leading to his departure from the tours midway.
He was eventually diagnosed with stage-1 lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy, battled cancer and the
eventually after full remission and match fitness; he made his comeback in 2012
ICC World T20 in Srilanka. However, due to his match fitness, Yuvi had mix-bag
career after the 2011 World Cup were his batting prowess and fielding capabilities,
slowed down which kept him out of the side in many tours. His match fitness, other
body issues, and lack of opportunities proved to be him demise and subsequently
India’s favorite son retired from the international cricket in 2019. In the interview,
he even conveyed that his knock against Srilanka (11 of 21) in 2014 T20
World Cup final in Bangladesh was the worst day in his career.
Finally,
whenever we talk about the cricketers who defined ODI cricket for India, few
names like Sachin, Ganguly, Dhoni, Kohli, Zaheer, Kapil, Rohit, and Dravid
come to our mind, yet we never give Yuvi the praise that he deserves. Even though
Yuvi’s final stages of career was not to the mark, his battle against cancer
and his comeback truly defined him as a warrior and a cricketer
willing to sacrifice everything for the team.
Share your
opinions.
Image Source-
Amazon.com
According
to you, which of the following is the best hitter in ODI and T20 cricket?
- Yuvraj Singh
- Chris Gayle
- Sanath Jayasuriya
- Brandon McCullum
Links for reading
my previous posts:
Yeah....no one can be yuvi and he is the most destructive batsmen of all time.... watching him was like every ball out of the park....Yuvraj Singh is the best hitter
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your time. I appreciate your efforts to give your honest opinions on my blogs. Thankyou.
DeleteChris Gayle best hitter in both formats.
ReplyDeleteWell written. I am looking forward to a blog on fast bowlers.
I think Yuvraj Singh is the best hitter when it comes to limited overs format. On his day he can dispatch the best deliveries from the best bowlers into the stands with ease and tremendous simplicity. It is amazing and great to see you write about cricket. The passion that you share for the sport comes out in your work. I wish you loads of success and happiness ahead.
ReplyDelete