5 instances when Yuvraj Singh rescued India's innings

The very name of Yuvraj Singh brings about a rush of emotions in every Indian cricket fan. Anything and everything said about this 35-year-old fighter is too little. Arguably, one of India’s greatest limited over players ever, Yuvraj has time and again proved to be a big match player for the Men in Blue.

Having battled cancer and made a successful return to the Indian side, he has also proved to be the greatest fighter in the Indian cricket team.He has managed to get India out of trouble time and again on the biggest of stages and has been the architect of India’s victories on a number of occasions.

In this article, we take a look at the 5 instances when Yuvraj rescued India’s innings.

#5 England tour of India, 2nd ODI: India v England at Cuttack, Jan 19, 2017

There were a lot of questions raised when Yuvraj was named in the 15 member squad for the limited overs series against England at home. There were further questions asked when Yuvraj performed poorly in the first ODI at Pune.

Going into the 2^nd match at Cuttack, there was a lot riding on his shoulder as he was looking to get back into his groove. After losing the toss, India were in a spot of bother at 25-3 and out at the crease were Yuvraj and MS Dhoni.

The duo rolled back the years and decimated the opposition bowlers as they put on a record-breaking partnership of 256 for the 5^th wicket. Yuvraj had the perfect answer for his critics as he smashed his way to a career-best knock of 150 of just 127 deliveries.

After a spirited chase by the Englishmen, India eventually won the match by 15 runs to seal the series 2-0.

#4 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2nd Quarter-Final: India v Australia at Ahmedabad, Mar 24, 2011

With the World Cup being held in India and Sri Lanka, the Men in Blue were longing to get their hands on the trophy after 28 long years.

The Indian cricket team were looking in solid touch before coming into the all important quarter-final against Australia at Ahmedabad. Despite losing a solitary game against South Africa, MS Dhoni and his men were the favourites going into the match.

After opting to bat first, Australia, riding on Ricky Ponting’s century amassed 260 in their 50 overs.

The Indian batsmen started off well but kept losing wickets at regular intervals which give Australia the edge. After MS Dhoni’s departure, things were looking bleak for India. However, Yuvraj, who was at the crease along with Suresh Raina ensured no further hiccups as India chased down the total with 15 balls to spare.

#3 ICC KnockOut, 1st QF: Australia v India at Nairobi (Gym), Oct 7, 2000

In his very first international match for the Men in Blue, Yuvraj showed the world what he is made of and proved to be a big match player right from the very beginning.

After losing Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid quite early on in the innings, the Indian fans had lost all hope. As an 18-year-old Yuvraj walked in to bat, fans did not expect anything of him and a few of them were not even aware of who he was.

Yuvraj had the perfect answer to those fans as he smashed his way to 84 of just 80 deliveries with 12 fours to his name. His knock helped India reach a highly respectable total of 265 in 50 overs. The star-studded Australian line-up were not able to chase the total down as they eventually lost the match by 20 runs thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by the Indian quicks.

#2 ICC World Twenty20, 2nd Semi Final: Australia v India at Durban, Sep 22, 2007

The inaugural World T20 held in South Africa back in 2007 was MS Dhoni’s first assignment as captain of the Indian side. After being ousted of the 50 overs world cup earlier that year, there were a lot of changes made for the World T20 and a host of youngsters were given a chance to perform.

India did exceptionally well to get past the group stages and staged an incredible fight against South Africa in the Super 8 stage to reach the semifinals. They were up against the 50 over champions, Australia.

After being put into bat, the Indian batting line-up crumbled against the Australian bowlers and were struggling at 41-2 in 8 overs. As Yuvraj walked into bat at the crucial stage, he managed to change the entire complexion of the game in just 30 deliveries. At a strike rate of 233.33, Yuvraj scored a blistering knock of 70 with 5 fours and 5 sixes to his name which helped India reach a total of 188 in 20 overs.

A dazzling bowling performance by Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh led India to victory as the Kangaroos fell short of the target by 15 runs.

#1 NatWest Series, Final: England v India at Lord's, Jul 13, 2002

The scene of Sourav Ganguly removing his shirt and waving it around on the famous Lord’s balcony is something which has been etched in our memories for 15 years now. And what a win it was for the Indian cricket team in the Natwest Series final of 2002

A score of 300 plus in today’s modernised game would probably be considered as an above average score but back in 2002, on the Lords surface of London, it was considered exceptional.

Led by a fantastic century by captain Nasser Hussain and opener Marcus Trescothick, England amassed a mighty total of 325 in 50 overs.

India began the chase well with Ganguly and Virender Sehwag putting on a century stand, but soon crumbled as the cream of the batting line-up including the openers, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid were dismissed in quick succession. Struggling at 146-5, youngsters Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif led a remarkable chase for the Men in Blue.

Yuvraj proved once again as to why he is a big match player as he scored a quick-fire knock of 69 from just 63 deliveries.

Although it was Kaif who hung on till the very end to take India home, Yuvraj’s knock will be regarded as one of his best ever.