5 reasons why the whole world loves Yuvraj Singh

While the majority of fans were beginning to bid him adieu and started thanking him for his contribution to Indian cricket, Yuvraj proved his critics wrong as he was picked in the 15 member squad for the limited-overs series against England which begins on January 15^th.

His inclusion in the squad came as a huge delight to fans across the world as they might get to witness Yuvraj feature in a One Day International after more than three years. His last ODI came against South Africa back in 2013 at Centurion.

There is something about Yuvraj which makes him such a fan favourite. In this article, we take a look at the five reasons why the whole world loves this enigmatic 35 year old from Punjab.

#5 Big match player

Ever since his debut in 2000, he has always managed to play an extremely vital role in all of the big matches for India on the biggest of stages. It all began when he, along with Mohammed Kaif took India to one of their most memorable victories against England at Lords in 2002. There was turning back for him since then.

In another instance, he single handedly took India to a high score of 188 against Australia in the semifinals of the inaugural World T20 against Australia in 2007, which was enough to guide India to victory against the Kangaroos.

These were just two out of the numerous instances when Yuvraj proved to be the difference between the two sides in a big match.

#4 Never say die attitude

After being diagnosed with cancer, his critics thought they had they had seen the last of him, but the fighter that he is, he made a successful return to cricket against New Zealand in a T20 match in 2012.

Two years later, he was made the centre of media attention and the face of “trolls” on the internet when his innings of 11 off 21 balls in the World T20 cost India the title back in 2014. This time, critics were sure of the fact that his career was done, but Yuvraj once again proved them wrong when he made a return to the T20 side in 2016 for the Asia Cup and the World T20.

After getting injured during the World T20, he was written off once again, but the figure once again proved us all wrong with his exceptional performances in the Ranji Trophy which led to his recall to the ODI and T20 sides for the series against England.

#3 666666

September 19 2007. The day Andrew Flintoff learnt to never pick a fight with Yuvraj Singh. As things heated up between the two players on the field during the fag end of India’s innings against England in the group stage encounter, Yuvraj took out all the anger he had on a hapless Stuart Broad.

Broad tried everything he had in his arsenal, but the result was the same as each and every ball of the 19^th over went over the fence and Yuvraj created history by becoming the first person to hit six sixes in an over in a T20 international match back then.

#2 India’s World Cup hero

As the 2011 World Cup took place in the sub-continent, India ended a 28-year long wait as they lifted the trophy on April 2, 2011 when they defeated Sri Lanka in the finals of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

It was Sachin Tendulkar’s last world cup, and while he was the one who was being carried around on everyone’s shoulders when India won the final match, it was Yuvraj who had been the star of the tournament with his incredible performances.

In 8 matches, he scored 362 runs with the bat and picked up 15 wickets.

#1 Fought cancer and made a comeback to the team

Shortly after India’s success at the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj was diagnosed with a malignant tumour, which of course forced him out of action for a long period of time. He was admitted into hospital for a few weeks for his treatment, and the nation prayed for him to get better, and his fans had given up the chances of him playing another match for India.

But the fighter that he is, not only did he fight off cancer, but he made a successful return to the Indian side as well. What made people respect him even more is when they learnt that he was sick during the World Cup itself, but continued to play for the sake of his country.