10 special innings by Yuvraj Singh in ODIs and T20Is

9. 69 vs England (NatWest final, Lord’s Cricket Ground, 2002)

Yuvraj Singh formed a match-winning partnership with Mohammad Kaif

It was turning out to be a familiar Indian performance – wayward bowling, lackadaisical fielding and a quick collapse in the middle. India had lost nine one-day finals, and were looking on course to add one more to that unwanted kitty.

England rocketed away to 325, riding on splendid centuries from the graceful Marcus Trescothick and the aggressive Nasser Hussain.

India got off the blocks rapidly as well, with Ganguly and Sehwag raising a century stand for the first wicket. However, within the next 40 runs, the visitors lost five wickets – the fall of Tendulkar prompting multitudes of Indian fans to switch off their television sets.

But no one had counted on the two twenty-something cricketers who were still at the crease. Yuvraj and Mohammad Kaif raced like gazelles on the pitch, milking the ones and twos, before opening up with the big shots.

The southpaw, in particular, was quick with his hands, depositing left-arm spinner Ashley Giles into the stands almost cavalierly.

Their stand was worth 121 runs when Yuvraj eventually top edged a sweep to Alex Tudor, but Kaif carried on and secured a famous victory – made even more memorable by Ganguly’s shirt-waving act from the Lord’s balcony.

Yuvraj’s innings taught his side one thing: Never Say Die!