Former Indian middle-order maestro Yuvraj Singh is celebrating his 42nd birthday today. Yuvraj Singh had a long-lasting impact on Indian cricket, needless to say, he was one of the most important architects of Indian cricket’s most glorious moment in 2011. Yuvraj’s journey off the field is as interesting and enthralling as it is on the field.
The Beginning
Yuvraj Singh’s first claim to fame was in 2000 when he won the 2000 Under-19 World Cup for India and also emerged as the player of the tournament. His outstanding performances ensured that he got his place in the Indian team soon after the Under-19 World Cup. He was selected in the Indian squad for the ICC Knockout tournament which was held in Kenya. He made his debut there and instantly made an impression with his potential. Between 2000 and 2003 various moments, including the miraculous performance in NatWest Trophy final, established Yuvraj Singh as the brightest prospect for Indian batting.
He was also selected in the team for the 2003 ODI World Cup. In the same year, he made his test debut as well, against New Zealand at Mohali. By then Yuvraj had become a regular feature in the Indian side and cemented his place in the middle order. A breakthrough moment in his career came after the disastrous 2007 ODI World Cup campaign when he helped India win a historic inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa.
2011 and the Journey Beyond
A generational moment came in 2011 for Indian cricket when India lifted the World Cup at home and became the first team to do so. Yuvraj Singh was adjudged the player of the tournament for his all-round contributions and he was at the pinnacle of his career when he soon learned that he was diagnosed with cancer. This period of his career, where he defeated a life-threatening disease like cancer and made a roaring comeback on the cricket field, would define his legacy for the rest of his life more than any records or stats.
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