6 of Yuvraj Singh's greatest knocks in international cricket

Yuvraj Singh “You can take whatever you want, take away my life, give me pain... But, God, just give us the World Cup.” – Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s last desperate plea to God on the eve of the all-important World Cup final match against Sri Lanka on 2 April 2011.In his autobiography “The Test of my Life”, Yuvraj admitted that he was willing to trade his life for cricket’s ultimate trophy, which would cap off a perfect career for Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, to whom he had promised to bring the Cup home as a tribute. A few months later, the words almost came true; Yuvraj was close to trading his life for the trophy, battling for life at a far away place – Indianapolis, America. A dream run, where he had emerged as the Man-of-the-Tournament with 362 runs and 15 wickets that helped India lift the trophy, was now a thing of the past.Cancer. The 6-letter word that is enough to send the world into a tizzy targeted one of India’s greatest cricketers as the familiar surrounding of a cricket field was soon replaced by chemotherapy and radiation. In the most important encounter of his life, the left hander’s self-belief and confidence took no beating as he fought his toughest days with grit and determination to emerge triumphant once again.While a good number of players would have been satisfied with getting their lives back-on-track, cricket was the top priority for Yuvraj. On 8 September 2012 in Vishakapatnam, he staged a remarkable comeback to the sport he loved the most. However, after a few unsuccessful international stints, he is now out of the set-up. Earlier this month, a fairytale of sorts ended when Yuvraj, along with Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan, the heroes of the 2011 World Cup, were omitted from the 30 member Provisional Squad for the World Cup to be held Down Under next year. Questions now raise over his form and fitness and his future as an Indian player.He might not don the No.12 jersey again, but there is no denying his role as an inspiration to a country of 1.2 billion. The maverick has a unique knack of emerging victorious when faced with daunting challenges, and his top 6 innings highlight just that.Here’s a look at some of Yuvraj Singh’s best knocks since 2000.

#1 84 v Australia, Champions Trophy, 2000

7 October 2000 marked the debut of a youngster who had caught the eyes of national selectors after a series of impressive performances in the title winning Under-19 World Cup campaign held earlier that year (12 wickets and 203 runs in 8 matches). The boy from Chandigarh made his international debut against the hosts Kenya in a Champions Trophy match, although he got a chance to bat in only his second match against Australia.

With India reeling at 90/3 in the 19th over, against an attack comprising of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, Yuvraj stepped out and hit the very first ball he faced – a short delivery by Ian Harvey – for a boundary behind square.

The southpaw scored 84 off 80 balls bringing up his maiden half-century off a Glenn McGrath-delivery, which was punched down the ground for a four. Gillespie was in for some special treatment, driven fluently through the off-side. Although Yuvraj missed his century by 16 runs, he had done enough to knock Australia out of the tournament.

#2 69 v Australia, NatWest Series, 2002

The image of the then Indian captain Sourav Ganguly swirling his shirt mouthing off words that are best left unsaid, by standing in the Lord’s balcony, after Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh led India to a historic win at the hallowed venue in 2002 is something that is crystal clear in the mind of every Indian cricket fan.

India had managed to pull off an improbable win by 2 wickets chasing England’s 325, making it only the second-highest run-chase (at that time) in one-day cricket.

With the scoreboard reading 146/5 and Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly all back in the pavilion, Yuvraj and Kaif put on a 121-run partnership to lead India to a historic victory.

On any other day, Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain’s centuries would have been enough to play India out of the game, more so on overseas conditions, but it wasn’t to be.

Yuvraj’s dismissal, caught by Alex Tudor off Paul Collingwood for an 82-ball 69, provided a late twist, but Kaif managed to hold his fort and see the team home.

#3 58 v England, T20 World Cup, 2007

In a must-win game, against England, at the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, Yuvraj made sure he took the game away from the opposition by setting a daunting total for the opposition to chase. 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. Not long ago, he was at the receiving end of a similar assault, with Dimitri Mascarenhas hitting him for five sixes in the same over during the India-England series earlier that year.

18.1 - The pitched up ball bowled at leg stump is dispatched over the cow-corner boundary.

18.2 - A flick of the wrists, ball sails over square leg

18.3 - Bowled outside the off-stump and hit for a maximum over extra-cover.

18.4 - Broad’s attempt to bowl around the wicket failed as a full toss was sent to the crowd at backward point.

18.5 - Down on one knee, Yuvraj sent the ball for six over mid-wicket.

18.6- The left-hander brought up the fastest half century across all formats (50 off 12 balls), when he smashed the ball over long-on for yet another six.

He was eventually bowled for 58 – at a staggering strike rate of 362.50 – by Andrew Flintoff, the man who had incited it all with an ugly spat just ahead of the over.

#4 70 v Australia, T20 World Cup, 2007

After a record-breaking knock against England, where he raced away to the fastest 50, Yuvraj Singh had to miss out on the clash against South Africa due to injury, but he was back at his attacking best in the semi-finals against Australia in Durban.

Coming into bat at 41-2 with 12 overs still left in the Indian innings, Yuvraj raced to a 30-ball 70, hitting 5 massive sixes and an equal number of boundaries. He was involved in a 70-run partnership with captain M.S. Dhoni for the fourth wicket, with the duo being particularly harsh on Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark.

Yuvraj’s 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.

#5 85* v England, 1st Test match, Chennai, 2008

Emotions took centre stage in Chennai during the 1st Test match against England in 2008, which was being staged just after a group of terrorists had mercilessly attacked Mumbai, killing hundreds.

The England team, which was on a tour to India, had left the ODI series mid-way, but in a show of good faith returned to complete the Test series.

Something was needed to soothe the nation’s pain, and what better than a Test match victory!

The script, however, seemed to go against the Indians as the English team set a stiff target of 387 for the home team. On a crumbling wicket, a negative result (draw or loss) looked inevitable, but a brave effort from Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh turned the tables on the visitors, notching up one of the most memorable wins for the team.

Tendulkar, who was outraged after his hometown had been ruthlessly attacked, paved the way for the 4th highest run-chase of all time with a counter-attacking 103, amply supported by Yuvraj who remained unbeaten on 85.

Coming together at the fall of VVS Laxman’s wicket at 224-4, the duo stitched up an unbeaten partnership of 163, which sealed an improbable victory for India, sending the nation that was ravaged by the 26/11 attacks into jubilation.

#6 57* vs Australia, World Cup, 2011

“For the first time in my life there have been claps in a press conference. This is a special moment.”

The applause given to Yuvraj Singh resonated all over the nation after the 33-year-old guided the Indian team to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.

Following the impressive all-round performances against Netherlands and West Indies, the quarter-final match in Ahmedabad saw Yuvraj dispatch the Australian bowling attack with panache, scoring an unbeaten 57 off 65 balls.

Chasing Australia’s target of 260, Yuvraj eased the pressure on Suresh Raina, who was playing his first World Cup innings, by being positive against Shaun Tait and Brett Lee and keeping a check on the required run-rate.

The pair combined to hand the 3-time World Champions a 5-wicket defeat. His emotional outburst after hitting the winning boundary – sliding down on his knees and roaring like a freed beast – reflected the dreams of a cricketer who was willing to fight all odds and brave all obstacles for the trophy that matters the most in cricket.