5 life lessons we can learn from Yuvraj Singh

With his eye-catching stroke-play as well as refreshingly candid personality, Yuvraj Singh remains the blue-eyed boy of Indian cricket even if advancing age suggests otherwise. Although quite a few batsmen may hold better numbers, the stylish southpaw has a legitimate claim for being one of the best ever batsmen to represent India in the limited-overs arena.

If his sensational hitting propelled a resurgent outfit to the 2007 World T20 title, Yuvraj cemented his legacy by bagging the 'Player of the Tournament' award in India's euphoric World Cup triumph in 2011. As evidenced by his successful battle with cancer, his poignant story extends far beyond the cricket field.

When in full flow, Yuvraj can present a nightmarish proposition for opposition bowlers. However, outside the game, the extremely popular cricketer stands as a symbol of valour and resilience. Here are five important life lessons we can all learn from the inspirational player.

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#5 Convert potential into performance

Yuvraj received his maiden senior call-up following a stellar show in the 2000 U-19 World Cup

Right from his days as an age-group cricketer, Yuvraj was earmarked for bigger success. Although he initially showed more interest in roller-skating and even won the Under-14 National Championship, the left-hander had already begun his cricketing tryst with Punjab's Under-12 state team. Gradually rising through the various age-levels, he came into national prominence by hammering a triple century in the final of the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in Jamshedpur.

During the 2000 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Yuvraj was named the 'Player of the Tournament' award as India cruised to their maiden title in the event. He earned his inaugural call-up to the senior team for the ICC KnockOut tournament in the same year. The gifted batsman did not take too long to translate his potential into performance. He smashed a 80-ball 84 against a bowling attack featuring the likes of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie in the quarter-final. A batting star had well and truly arrived at international level.

Yuvraj's stellar knock as a 18-year old continues to be an ideal illustration of talent being converted into output. One can possess an enormous amount of potential in any field. However, when the early opportunity emerges, it is imperative to transfigure the power of promise into a display of virtuosity.

#4 Pursue targets in a relentless manner

Yuvraj and Dhoni have enabled India to sail through numerous difficult run-chases

Before Virat Kohli earned the tag of 'Master Chaser' through his remarkable exploits in the limited-overs arena, the likes of Yuvraj and MS Dhoni helped India surge through countless run-chases with consummate ease. With both batsmen then at the peak of their powers, the mid 2000s saw the duo script numerous victories by combining delicate nudges with searing hits to the fence and beyond.

If Dhoni bludgeoned the ball with raw power, Yuvraj relied on the gift of timing to propel India to an unprecedented 17 consecutive run-chases in ODIs. There were other major contributors, of course. However, the two clinical batsmen were the protagonists of the vast majority of those victories.

Extra Cover: Top 5 MS Dhoni-Yuvraj Singh Partnerships

When confronted with the vagaries of pressure, Yuvraj's admirable composure helped him anchor plenty of run-chases in a relentless manner. Drawing a parallel and imbibing a similar quality should assist those facing the unsparing predicament of targets or deadlines. Adopting a positive mindset becomes instrumental in surmounting seemingly daunting targets in the various spheres of life.

#3 Develop an unflappable temperament

Yuvraj banished the demons of The Oval by hammering Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over

Yuvraj's exhilarating feat of hammering six sixes off a hapless Stuart Broad over remains one of the most unforgettable moments in the short history of the World T20. Andrew Flintoff may continue to regret his fateful conversation with the rampaging left-hander. However, the events surrounding that astonishing performance had been inadvertently set in motion by the mercurial Dmitri Mascarenhas.

The England all-rounder had plundered the left-arm spin of Yuvraj for five towering sixes off the final five deliveries of the hosts' innings in an ODI at The Oval. Exactly 15 days later, the Indian star exacted revenge by taking full toll of Broad on a balmy night at Durban.

Even though Mascarenhas' savage hitting could not prevent India from pulling off a thrilling victory in that game, a lesser man than Yuvraj might not have recovered from the trauma. The manner in which he bounced back from being tormented to becoming tormentor gives us an insight into the southpaw's unflappable temperament. Developing such a tranquil approach towards life could help an individual deal with the pangs of misery.

#2 Overcome pain to achieve glory

Yuvraj battled through immense pain to propel India to an euphoric World Cup triumph in 2011

Even as a billion strong populace rejoiced in unison during that night at the Wankhede Stadium in 2011, the heroes themselves wept uncontrollably in the middle of the arena. The cascade of tears pouring from Yuvraj's eyes were not an out-flowing of unbridled joy but a palpable reflection of a deep-rooted feeling of immense contentment. If ever a picture bespoke a thousand words, this one was worth much more.

Long after the euphoria emanating from the 2011 World Cup triumph settled, the man would reveal that he had played through the tournament with enormous physical pain. From sustaining difficulties in breathing to repeatedly coughing up blood, Yuvraj found himself having to overcome nauseating agony in order to spearhead his country to the ultimate conquest in cricket.

Needless to say, Yuvraj's heart-rending story stands as the quintessential example of taming excruciating pain for the greater good. For his all-round consistency, he was named the 'Player of the Tournament'. It has been more than six years since the memorable final. Yet, the mainstay's intangible determination during the biggest event of his life remains undiminished by the test of time. When one conquers harrowing physical pain to accomplish uplifting glory, those pivotal moments will be cherished forever.

#1 Never ever give up

Yuvraj won the biggest battle of his life by defeating cancer

There have been quite a few cricketers who were adept at making comebacks into the Indian team. From the days of yore, Mohinder Amarnath made resurgence his personal fiefdom. From the modern era, Yuvraj's name springs faster than many other contenders. His penchant for making sparkling comebacks into the national side began from the 2001 Coco-Cola Cup on Sri Lankan soil. The saga has expanded till as recently as the 3-match ODI series against England earlier this year.

Neither the frequent spans of uncertainty spent in the wilderness nor the innumerable opposition bowlers have come close to presenting the toughest challenge to Yuvraj. Despite being diagnosed with 'mediastinal seminoma' ( a rare form of germ-cell tumour) in 2012, he remained unfazed and battled on with the solitary aim of reclaiming his place in the Indian limited-overs team. By vanquishing cancer, he not only won the biggest battle of his life but also radiated uninhibited grit in its purest form.

Although the latter phase of his career has not been as productive as his heydays, the very fact that Yuvraj looked cancer in the eye and subsequently returned to the Indian team across all three formats in a matter of mere months is testament to his indefatigable will. When asked about the southpaw's seminal moment, most would attribute his splendid consistency in the 2011 World Cup. Some might fondly recollect his sublime performances in the 2007 World T20. However, Yuvraj's biggest contribution to Indian cricket has been his never-say-die attitude. The man is living proof that obstacles are meant to be surmounted. He continues to epitomise endurance with his aptly titled YOUWECAN Foundation.