6 times Yuvraj Singh saved India from a humiliating loss

Yuvraj Singh is, without a doubt, one of India's greatest limited overs batsmen of all time. The man behind India’s WT20 2007 and ICC World Cup 2011 victories turns 37 today.

Yuvraj in his prime used to be a destructive batsman, a handy bowler and an acrobatic fielder. In short, he was a complete cricketer and most importantly, a genuine match winner.

The impact he left on the game in all three departments is unmatched, which can clearly be seen in the performance of India's current middle order.

Yuvraj often stood tall when India needed him - either when the team needed someone to score quickly in the final overs, or when they needed someone to steady the ship after a massive top order failure.

Let’s take a look back at the times when Yuvraj saved Team India from a massive defeat after a major top order failure.

#6 India vs Australia, WT20 2007 semifinal

India were struggling at 41-2 after 8 overs, with the Australian bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee in the midst of annihilating the top order. The in-form Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag couldn't get going, and it was all down to Yuvraj Singh.

And as usual, Yuvraj didn't disappoint the team. He destroyed the Aussie bowling line-up all by himself, although he had good support from Robin Uthappa and MS Dhoni.

Yuvraj won a second back-to-back Man of the Match award to take India to the finals.

#5 India vs West Indies, Indian Oil Cup, Colombo, 2005

Yuvraj Singh after completing his century

Facing West Indies in a must-win match to qualify for the tri-series final, India were 51-3 and Sourav Ganguly had retired hurt. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif then had a 165-run partnership and they carried the Indian team from 51-3 to 216-4, when Yuvraj fell after scoring 110.

Kaif and Dhoni later added another 46 runs in the last 4 overs to take the Indian total to 262. India won the match by 7 runs, and till this date this innings by Yuvraj is considered one of the finest of his career.

#4 India vs Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola Cup, Colombo, 2001

India faced Sri Lanka in the 8th match of the tri-series, in which New Zealand was the third team. Being 4 down for 36, India were hoping for a miracle in the must-win match.

Yuvraj again stood up for Team India and scored a magnificent 98 not out. He stitched together major partnerships with Rahul Dravid, who scored 47, and Reetinder Singh Sodhi, who scored a vital 30.

Yuvraj was adjudged Man of the Match for his match-winning knock which was his second after the one he won on his debut.

#3 India vs Zimbabwe, Videocon tri-series, Harare, 2005

Yuvraj Singh

India faced Zimbabwe in 6th match of the tri-series, with New Zealand being the third side of the tournament. Zimbabwe scored 250 batting first, with Charles Coventry being the highest scorer for the hosts.

Chasing 251, India at one point were 4 down for 36 with Sehwag, Ganguly, Dravid and Kaif being sent back to the dugout. Venu Gopal Rao joined Yuvraj Singh in the middle and the two of them continued the proceedings for the Indian team.

Rao had scored 27 runs when India lost their 5th wicket on 91. The next batsman joining him was MS Dhoni, alongside whom Yuvraj made a terrific middle order batting pair.

Yuvraj completed his century in 105 balls and at the other end Dhoni scored a calm and composed 50. Together they both wrote the script of India's brilliant chase, helping the team win the match by 4 wickets.

#2 India vs Australia 3rd ODI, Hyderabad, 2005

Ponting gives Yuvraj Singh a pat on his back as he walks out after scoring a lone warrior 121

After the first ODI being washed out due to rain, Australia defeated India in the second ODI of the 7 match series. Going into the third ODI, India wanted to win the match at any cost but Australia had another plans.

The visitors scored 290 batting first with the help of Andrew Symonds’ quickfire 89. Chasing 291, India were struggling at 13 out for 3 with Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Rahul Dravid being sent back to the pavilion.

Yuvraj came out to bat when India were on the back-foot and could not afford the loss of another wicket. But he and Sachin Tendulkar carried the Indian scorecard to 108, when Tendulkar fell after scoring 43 - with India requiring another 183 runs.

Yuvraj added another 65 runs for the 5th wicket, but after that India were never in the game. Yuvraj still tried his best, and despite his brilliant century India lost narrowly.

He may not have won the match for his team, but the way Yuvraj fought for the win was truly awe-inspiring.

#1 India vs South Africa, 1st ODI, Hyderabad, 2005

South Africa toured India in 2005 after five years, with hopes of winning their first bilateral ODI series against India in India. The visitors won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first in the first ODI.

South African legends Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini started toying with the Indian top order in their opening spells. India were struggling at 36-5 when Irfan Pathan joined Yuvraj Singh in the middle.

Both Yuvraj and Pathan batted slowly and steadily in the middle overs. They added 75 runs off 19 overs in their partnership for the 6th wicket when Pathan got out for 45.

Then Dhoni came out to bat, and he and Yuvraj had a run-a-ball 49-run partnership out of which 31 came off Yuvraj’s bat.

India lost Dhoni in the 39th over and after that it was all on Yuvraj’s shoulders to take the team to a respectable total. Yuvraj batted till the 48th over, scoring a magnificent 103. Harbhajan Singh then gave the finishing touches to the Indian innings and both of them guided the total to 249 runs in 50 overs.

Although India lost the match, Yuvraj was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant fighting century. Later, he ended up winning the Man of the Series award too.