Five best innings of Yuvraj Singh's career

One of India's best limited overs batsman of all time, Yuvraj Singh has called time on his 19-year long career as the 37-year old retires from all forms of cricket after a glittering career.

He last played a game for India against West Indies in June, 2017 post which a loss of form and influx of talented cricketers meant that Yuvraj has been unable to make a comeback to the international scenario.

Even in the Indian Premier League, Yuvraj's form dipped as he found it difficult to cement a spot in a strong Mumbai Indians line-up. However, his impact on Indian cricket and especially limited overs cricket has been massive.

This is reflected in the fact that Yuvraj played an integral role in both the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and also the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumphs. Through his illustrious career, Yuvraj has essayed a number of memorable knocks in order to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for India. Lets us dive into some of those knocks.

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#5 ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000 quarter-final vs Australia - 84 Runs

An unbelievable introduction to international cricket

Only a few matches old at that point in international cricket, Yuvraj Singh decided to introduce himself in a swashbuckling fashion. The opponent was Australia and the stage was the ICC Knockout trophy's quarter-final but the youngster ensured that the nerves and pressure did not get the better of him.

Anyone would have been fretting with India struggling at 90/3, with stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid back in the pavilion. Further, the Australian bowling attack included fiery bowlers such as Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie.

However, Yuvraj walked in and played a fantastic counter-attacking inning to end up with a score of 84 off 80 balls. This knock helped India set up a target of 265 at the end of 50 overs, which in the end sufficed as Australia fell short by 20 runs and India booked its place in the semifinals of the competition.

#4 ICC T20 World Cup, 2007 Super 8s vs England - 58 Runs

England v India - Twenty20 Super Eights

Six sixes off Stuart Broad and the fastest ever fifty in any form of international cricket. That stunning assault against Stuart Broad and England in the 2007 World T20 can never be forgotten by any cricket fan.

One can probably say that Andrew Flintoff triggered Yuvraj Singh with his sledging and that resulted in Yuvraj Singh clawing into Broad's over. The clueless Stuart Broad became Yuvraj Singh's victim as the southpaw belted him all around Kingsmead, Durban for six sixes in the 19th over.

Yuvraj's fifty came off just 12 balls and what made this 58-run knock even more special was that it was a must win game for India in order to qualify for the semi-finals. On the whole, Yuvraj had a terrific run in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup as India went on to win the tournament with a very young squad.

#3 Bilateral ODI series, 2017 vs England - 150 Runs

Nostalgia overload as India's favorite MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh compiled an incredible union

Yuvraj Singh's 150-run knock against England at Cuttack on January 19, 2017 makes the list not just for the quality of the innings but also considering the fact that it came on his comeback trail.

The knock was even more special since it was part of a 256-run partnership with MS Dhoni. Also, when Dhoni walked in to join Yuvraj, India were reeling at 25/3. Two of India's best limited overs batsmen then joined together in order to stitch the superb partnership.

Yuvraj Singh's career-best knock of 150 and Dhoni's 134 helped India set up a humongous 381-run target for England. In the end, England fell short by a margin of 15 runs as Yuvraj and Dhoni's epic essay didn't go in vain.

Indian cricket fans would have felt lucky to have witnessed this star pairing rocking the International scene for one last time.

#2 2011 ICC World Cup group stage vs West Indies - 113 Runs

Down but not out

India's amazing triumph in the 2011 ICC World Cup on home soil will forever remained etched in every Indian's heart as it ended a 28-year wait for an ICC World Cup.

A big part of India's success will be attributed to Yuvraj Singh, the star who went on to win the 'Player of the tournament' award. One of his top performances from the tournament was his sensational century against West Indies at Chennai.

The knock was remarkable considering that Yuvraj was battling cough, a symptom of his cancer ailment and he battled past all that to notch up an incredible century. India were eventually bowled out for 268, a total which was largely possible due to Yuvraj's effort even though he lacked adequate support from the other end.

India then went on to win the game comfortably but it has to be said that the result would have been a huge doubt if not for Yuvraj's epic essay.

#1 2007 ICC T20 World Cup semi-finals vs Australia - 70 Runs

Yuvraj's love affair with Australia was something else!

The fact that Yuvraj's 58-run assault against England in the 'Super Eight' stage isn't better than his knock against Australia reflects its unbelievable quality. It was just an extraordinary spectacle as Yuvraj ripped apart Australia's bowling attack.

Yuvraj came back into the playing 11 after missing the South Africa game due to an injury he picked up during his assault against England. However, the injury break didn't seem to affect Yuvraj one bit as he bettered his effort against England.

The southpaw played some delightfully destructive shots in a 30-ball 70-run knock as the effort from Yuvraj proved to be a game-changer. This knock helped India put up a daunting 188/5 and Australia fell short of the target by 15 runs.

India then went on to win the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup by beating Pakistan in a thrilling final. To put it simply, Yuvraj played an wholesome part in India's triumph.