IPL 2017: Top 5 Yuvraj Singh knocks in the IPL
Yuvraj Singh has been an asset to the Indian team in the shorter formats of the game. The left-handed attacking batsman starred for the national team in two successful World Cup campaigns, including the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007.
However, when it comes to the Indian Premier League, Yuvraj has, more often than not, fallen short of expectations. During the first two seasons, he played as the icon player for the Kings XI Punjab. But in the third season, he was stripped of captaincy after failing to impress.
After leaving the Punjab-side, twice he was bought for a record fee – once, by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 14 crore and then, by the Delhi Daredevils for Rs 16 crore. But on both occasions, he flattered to deceive. Finally, it seems like he has found some consistency with his new side the Sunrisers Hyderabad, with whom he won the title last year.
Overall, Yuvraj has scored 2335 runs in 108 matches at an average of 25.38 and strike rate of 130.01. Here, we take a look at five of his best knocks in the IPL.
#5 42* off 24, Kings XI Punjab v Sunrisers Hyderabad at Mohali, May 15, 2016
It was an important match for the Sunrisers Hyderabad as a win would ensure a place in the play-offs and they were facing the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. With the Punjab side languishing at the bottom of the table, they had nothing to lose and it was always going to be tough.
Hashim Amla’s superlative knock of 96 from just 56 balls along with some inspirational power-hitting from David Miller down the order helped the Punjab side amass 179 runs on the board. Hyderabad started off well with captain David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan playing in tandem.
However, Dhawan’s run-out in the eighth over shifted the momentum slightly. When Yuvraj came to the crease after Warner got out for a well-made 52, there was still work to be done. Deepak Hooda’s dismissal in the 16th over made matters worse and Hyderabad still needed 41 runs from their last four overs.
Hadn’t it been for Yuvraj’s knock of 42 from just 24 balls, which included three boundaries and three huge sixes, Hyderabad would have been looking down the barrel. But yet again, Yuvraj had proved to be the match-winner.