Yuvraj Singh celebrates his 42nd birthday today, and while he gained widespread recognition for his remarkable feat of hitting six sixes in a Stuart Broad over during the 2007 T20 World Cup, he has delivered several extraordinary performances throughout his cricket career. Here, we highlight five of his most exceptional moments as India's beloved cricketer.
Yuvraj Singh's innings of 138* off 78 balls against England in Rajkot in 2008 showcased an exhibition of pure power and impeccable timing. Despite recovering from a stiff back, Yuvraj unleashed a relentless assault on England's bowlers, sending the ball to all corners of the ground with authority. His innings included a stunning display of 6 sixes and 16 fours in a whirlwind display of aggressive batting. In this remarkable innings, Yuvraj single-handedly propelled India to a formidable total of 387. The Men in Blue went on to win the match comfortably, with Yuvraj's extraordinary performance standing out as a key factor in their success.
In a high-pressure encounter against Australia in Ahmedabad during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Yuvraj Singh played a pivotal role in India's triumph. This performance was particularly poignant as Yuvraj was battling cancer during that time. Entering the fray when India found themselves in a challenging position at 187/5, Yuvraj showcased his resilience by forming a crucial partnership with MS Dhoni. His unbeaten innings of 57* off 65 balls not only contributed significantly to steering the team to a competitive total but also demonstrated his determination and composure under adverse circumstances. In addition to his batting heroics, Yuvraj showcased his all-round skills by picking up two wickets with his left-arm spin, further solidifying his impact on the match.
Yuvraj Singh's innings of 113 off 123 balls against West Indies in Chennai during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 exemplified his significant prowess in high-pressure situations. Demonstrating his big-match temperament, he played a composed and patient innings, serving as the anchor for the Indian batting lineup. His contribution was instrumental in enabling India to set a formidable total of 268. Additionally, Yuvraj showcased his versatility by making an impact with the ball, taking two wickets during the match.
Yuvraj Singh's exceptional batting display unfolded in Cuttack in 2017, where he showcased a masterclass with a brilliant innings of 150 runs off 127 balls against England. His performance was a sublime combination of power and finesse, marked by 21 boundaries and 3 sixes. Serving as the linchpin of the Indian batting lineup, Yuvraj skillfully crafted crucial partnerships, steering the team to an imposing total of 381/6. His outstanding contribution earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Yuvraj Singh's innings of 107* off 93 balls against Pakistan in Karachi in 2006 was a captivating display of power-hitting mastery. Faced with the task of chasing a formidable target of 287, Yuvraj unleashed a barrage of shots, dispatching the Pakistani bowlers with authority and smashing 14 boundaries in a whirlwind knock. His stellar batting performance played a pivotal role in India's comfortable victory by 8 wickets, securing him the well-earned Player of the Match award. Furthermore, Yuvraj's remarkable consistency and impactful contributions throughout the series were duly recognized, as he clinched the Player of the Series title with a total of 344 runs. India emerged victorious in the five-match ODI series, prevailing with a 4-1 margin.
