Yuvraj Singh
India
The story of Yuvraj Singh's recent career could make a typically dramatic Bollywood movie: form, injuries and controversies leading to the hero's fall from grace in 2010; the emphatic end to jokes about an expanding waistline and questions about his attitude in 2011 through a Man-of-the-Series performance in the biggest tournament in the game; the high disappearing as he is diagnosed with cancer; chemotherapy and treatment followed by a gradual re-introduction to cricket. That's how far the story has progressed. Will the hero recapture the heights of old, or will he be a shadow of the past? Coming to you this September.
What's he about?
T20 may have led to a preponderance of power-hitters, but few can combine ground-clearing skills with a penchant for the big occasion like Yuvraj does. Both of India's global titles over the past five years arrived after he reinvigorated flatlining campaigns: his six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad in a must-win encounter in the 2007 World Twenty20 is one of the most-watched cricket videos on Youtube, while India hardly looked world-champion material in the 2011 World Cup till he took charge of the chase against defending champions Australia. In recent years, he has added value to the side through his improved offspin.
T20 may have led to a preponderance of power-hitters, but few can combine ground-clearing skills with a penchant for the big occasion like Yuvraj does. Both of India's global titles over the past five years arrived after he reinvigorated flatlining campaigns: his six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad in a must-win encounter in the 2007 World Twenty20 is one of the most-watched cricket videos on Youtube, while India hardly looked world-champion material in the 2011 World Cup till he took charge of the chase against defending champions Australia. In recent years, he has added value to the side through his improved offspin.
What the team needs
India's vexing search for a limited-overs allrounder ended in the 2011 World Cup when Yuvraj showed he could be relied on to serve as a fifth bowler. His finishing skills and explosive batting remain important, but if he can again fill in the allrounder's slot, India can stick to their tried-and-tested policy of playing seven recognised batsmen.
India's vexing search for a limited-overs allrounder ended in the 2011 World Cup when Yuvraj showed he could be relied on to serve as a fifth bowler. His finishing skills and explosive batting remain important, but if he can again fill in the allrounder's slot, India can stick to their tried-and-tested policy of playing seven recognised batsmen.
Big day out
70 (off 30) v Australia, World Twenty20 semi-final, Durban, 2007
T20 merely a hit-and-giggle? You wouldn't think that if you'd watched this high-intensity, high-quality semi-final. Yuvraj was the headliner for an innings combining grace, power and placement that must have given the highlights editor a headache over which shots to select. The all-conquering Australia were for once overwhelmed in a knockout match.
70 (off 30) v Australia, World Twenty20 semi-final, Durban, 2007
T20 merely a hit-and-giggle? You wouldn't think that if you'd watched this high-intensity, high-quality semi-final. Yuvraj was the headliner for an innings combining grace, power and placement that must have given the highlights editor a headache over which shots to select. The all-conquering Australia were for once overwhelmed in a knockout match.
Trivia and stats
- Yuvraj is one of only five players to have a career strike-rate above 150 (min 10 innings).
- Only one other player - Guyana offspinner Lennox Cush - has taken two Twenty20 hat-tricks. Yuvraj took two hat-tricks in the 2009 IPL.
Quotable
"Cancer may be the best thing to have happened to me and maybe I will realise this in the future."
"Cancer may be the best thing to have happened to me and maybe I will realise this in the future."
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