Profile
India witnessed the birth of golden boy Yuvraj Singh when as a teenage sensation, fresh off an U-19 World Cup triumph, he scored a match-winning 84 on international debut to topple Australia in the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000. Laying in limbo between 'raw talent' and 'finished article' the youngster successfully walked the tightrope and delivered when given his chance.
The southpaw's ability to stand and dictate proceedings was reminiscent of South African ace Lance Klusener. The combination of grit and flair stood out even in a team that oozed with batting finesse. His fielding proficiency, particularly while deployed at point and ability to roll his arm over effectively made his value shoot up exponentially.
His winning mentality became contagious very quickly. An early example of this was showcased when India were down 146-5 while chasing a mammoth 325 in the 2002 NatWest final. Along with Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj crafted one of India's most famous ODI victories to cease a spree of nine consecutive finals defeats, flagging the changing tides for Indian cricket. He later played a key role in India's 2003 World Cup where they reached the finals and by 2006, he was already one of the world's finest in limited overs. He did get Test opportunities - often trading places with Sourav Ganguly, owing to both players' inconsistent displays - but failed replicate his ODI efficacy. Following the 2007 World Cup disappointment, he championed young India’s restoration by leading the charge in the famous win at the inaugural World T20.
It still remains a question mark whether "Yuvi" can do justice to his talent in the 5-day variety. Behavioral short-comings were uncovered when his immense self-belief spilt over to egotism. His negligence to fitness didn't help either. This led to his omission from the Test side in 2010. But it's no coincidence that Yuvraj's rise as a cricketer mirrors India's ascendancy in the shorter format of the game from mediocrity in the 90s to pre-eminence in the 2000s.
Fast Facts
- His assisted India to the highest ODI run chase at that time- 325 runs against England in the 2002 NatWest final. Currently this is the 6th highest run chase in history.
- Yuvraj's record of taking catches in 7 consecutive ODIs is tied second behind Alan Border and Greame Smith, who top the list with 9.
- Yuvraj's 6 years and 334 days to record 5000 ODI runs is the 11th highest in history. He's also the 8th fastest to 1000 runs with 3 years and 303 days.
- Along with Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj is the only batsman to score 6 sixes in an over in International cricket. He hit England's Stuart Broad for 36 in 6 deliveries in the 2007 World T20.
- He holds the record for the fastest 50 in T20Is (12 balls) which he made against England at the World T20 in 2007.
- Yuvraj is the only man to make 3 fifties in 20 deliveries or less in T20Is.
- All of Yuvraj's first 3 Test centuries came against Pakistan. In fact, when he faces Pakistan in Tests, his average increases from 33 to 57, a boost of 24 runs, the 10th highest in Indo-Pak encounters.
- His unbeaten partnership of 163 with Sachin Tendulkar (of which he scored 85), against England at Chennai in 2008 to chase 387 is the 5th highest Test run chase overall and the highest in India.
- With over 7000 runs and 80+ wickets, Yuvraj is the 10th most successful ODI batting all-rounder.
- Yuvraj (12 centuries) is tied 4th with Rahul Dravid among India's top century makers in ODIs.
- With 72 catches to his name, he is India's 7th most successful ODI fielder.
Statistics
| Matches | Innings | Runs | NO | Avg. | SR | 100's | 50's | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 34 | 52 | 1639 | 6 | 35.63 | 58.91 | 3 | 9 |
| ODI | 260 | 239 | 7598 | 34 | 37.06 | 87.95 | 12 | 44 |
| T20 | 22 | 21 | 555 | 4 | 32.64 | 153.74 | 0 | 5 |
| IPL | 43 | 42 | 894 | 5 | 24.16 | 131.85 | 0 | 3 |
Career
Span:- Test:
- 2003-2010
- ODI:
- 2000-2010
- T20:
- 2007-2010
- IPL:
- 2008-2010
- Test
- Debut:
- India Vs New Zealand at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh - Oct 16, 2003
- Last played:
- India Vs Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, Galle - Jul 18, 2010
- ODI
- Debut:
- India Vs Kenya at Nairobi Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi - Oct 03, 2000
- Last played:
- India Vs New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras) - Dec 10, 2010
- T20
- Debut:
- India Vs Scotland at Kingsmead, Durban - Sep 13, 2007
- Last played:
- India Vs Sri Lanka at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia - May 11, 2010
- IPL
- Debut:
- Kings XI Punjab Vs Chennai Super Kings at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh - Apr 19, 2008
- Last played:
- Kings XI Punjab Vs Chennai Super Kings at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala - Apr 18, 2010
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