Yuvraj Singh: A gladiator and a true inspiration
Yuvraj Singh: A true inspiration
A person is successful and has the potential to achieve everything possible when he/she has the will and determination to fight adversity and triumph against of all odds. When we think of such people, many names crop in our minds. And one such name is that of Yuvraj Singh. He has been a shining example of grit, guts and positive attitude. He has not only been a champion performer for Team India but also has fought the biggest off-field battle by successfully recovering from cancer.
His contribution to the Indian Cricket Team, over a decade, has been outstanding and worth emulating. Our national team got a star all-rounder in him and he has proved to be a match winner for India on several occasions. Coming under limelight during Sourav Ganguly’s era and leadership, he matured as a player in no time and took India to victory in many nail biting encounters.
His contribution to Indian cricket team’s major triumphs has been praiseworthy. During his early days, Yuvraj was always involved in the game through his outstanding batting down the order and breath-taking run outs in the field. He, along with Mohammed Kaif, became India’s new finds in the fielding department. They both gave the team a major uplift on the field as they saved 20-30 runs for the side.
His impressive performances in the U-19 World Cup earned him a place in the national side. He was already an emerging star when he entered the side. His all-round performances brought him in focus. In the ICC Knockout Trophy, he earned a place in the team and played an impressive knock against the mighty Australians which helped India qualify for the finals.
He has always played major innings against the biggest teams whenever his side has been in major crisis. Talking about crisis, one cannot resist mentioning about the famous Natwest Series final, which cemented his place in the side. That innings was certainly a turning point in his cricketing career as he not only became an overnight star, but also gained respect of his senior players.
He came into bat when India looked in a spot of bother as half of the side had bundled out with the score around 150 while chasing a mammoth total of 326. Yuvraj, along with Mohammed Kaif, made full use of this opportunity and built that famous partnership which not only helped India win the match, but also brought two star players into prominence.
His innings of 69 showed his class as a player and his temperament in crucial situations and his zeal to perform for the team. His aggressive intent and his incomparable self belief earned him a place in India’s World Cup campaign in South Africa, 2003. He played some good knocks in the group stages against teams like Pakistan, Kenya and New Zealand but more importantly saved a lot of runs in the field by throwing himself every-time the ball came towards him which eventually led to India’s win in close matches and enable the team to book a berth in the finals against Australia.
His consistent performance against Pakistan in Pakistan and being the top run scorer in the home series against England made him a strong contender to lead the side in future. After India’s debacle in the World Cup 2007, he was one of the probable contenders to captain the side but he lost it to M.S.Dhoni because of his off-field easy going persona. But he did not let things affect him.
The inaugural edition of the World T20 in South Africa was the first challenge that this young side had to cross under the leadership of M.S. Dhoni. But the stand out performer was yet again, Yuvraj Singh. Being a senior player, he rose to the occasion and raise the bar of his game. In India’s crucial match against England, he struck six consecutive sixes in an over and brought up his fifty in just 12 balls.