Players who made their debut prior to 2003 & are still active cricketers

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was way more skilled than a part-timer

Yuvraj Singh’s story is stirring enough to set fire in the belly of every embryonic cricketer. More than cricket, it’s the stringent attitude of Yuvraj that sets him apart from every other sportsperson. He has defied death with sheer disdain to claw his way into the Indian team.

Though being a pale shadow of his stupendous self and his body enduring a hammering by cancer, the zeal of embracing the sport with both hands hasn’t died down. He has been an indispensable component of the Indian team since 2000, when he donned the Indian jersey for the first instance.

Bat was always his favourite ammunition, but he was also India’s man with the golden arm, churning out scalps at frequent intervals. It may be a tumultuous task for Yuvi to sneak past a bunch of vivacious youngsters to the Indian team, but his electrifying attitude will always remain alive in the field of play.

Career Span: October 2000-Present (16 years and 1 month)

Tests: 40

ODI’s: 293

T20I’s: 55

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Mohammad Sami

Mohammad Sami arrived like a storm that has gradually lost pace as the years went by

Mohammad Sami is a skiddy customer for a batsman to deal with and a bowler who could hurry batsmen into precarious positions. With hat-tricks in all three formats of the game, Sami’s skills with the ball had never been a point of concern. He was no mug with the bat either.

Somewhere down the line, the pugnacious potential couldn’t replicate itself on the field. An array of dreary shows along with rise of promising fast bowlers in Pakistan ensured that Sami’s tenure was cut short. Inconsistent performance with the ball turned out to be his biggest enemy.

He has made his way into the team quite a few times only to be sidelined again. He bowled decently in the ICC World T20 in India, but hasn’t been in the reckoning since then. It’s the 16^th year for Sami in the International territory and all Sami can hope for is to end his career on a high.

Career Span: March 2001- Present (15 years and 8 months)

Tests: 36

ODI’s: 87

T20I’s: 13