Yuvraj Singh the all-rounder has announced his retirement conducting a press conference today. He was born on 12th December 1981 and son of former cricketer Yograj Singh. He has 8,701 runs and 111 wickets in ODIs, 1,177 runs and 28 wickets in T20Is. He along with Kaif has raised India fielding standards.
At preconference he said “It’s was a great rollercoaster ride and beautiful story, but it has to come to an end. It was the right time to go.”
He started his professional cricketing career at age of 13 where he played for Punjab under-16 team in November 1995-96, after that he was promoted to an under-19 team in 1996-97 where he scored 137 not out against Himachal Pradesh. He then was promoted to first-class cricket in late 1997 and he came into limelight when he scored 358 by himself against Bihar, were all out for 357. Then he represented India for the first time in an under19 team against Sri Lanka in 1999 where he scored 89 runs from 55 balls.
In the year 2000, he was selected for under-19 world cup squad under the captaincy of Kaif where he was the player of the tournament and India was the winner of the under-19 world cup. His performance for consistent through the tournament where he scored 68 off 62 and 4/36 against New Zealand in the group stages and quick 58 off 25 balls against Australia in semi-finals. By which he was the first intake for National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
Selection into Indian Squad
After the consistent performance in the Under-19 world cup, he was selected to the national team for ICC Knockout Cup in the year 2000. He first got chance in pre-quarterfinals where he bowled four over for 16 runs and he did not get to bat. In a quarterfinal where he played against Australia and scored 84 (80) of mighty bowling line up Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie and he was the player of the match in which India won with 20 Runs. In Sem-finals he scored 41 and picked 1/15 against South Africa. India lost the final to New Zealand where he scored 14 Runs.
After this tournament, he was picked into Indian Squad for Two series where is performance was not good and he was dropped for the national team. In 2002 again he was picked for home series where India was trailing the series with 1-2 and he as picked for last two matches and in the 4th ODI, he scored 80 off just 60 balls and was not out he was the man of the match. In the final ODI, he scored 75 runs from 52 balls and shared the partnership od 157-run fifth wicket. By which India win the series with 3-2.
Rise and Fall of Yuvi
Winning the West Indies Tour with 2-1 where he scored 1 and 10. He was selected to NatWest triangular series with England and Sri Lanka. In the first match, he was the man of the match with all-round performance 3/39 and 64 not out as India successfully chased down a total of 271. Next match against Sri Lanka He scored the 31 and shared a partnership of 60 runs with Kaif for the 6th wicket by which India won two matches in a row. Finals are played in the Lords between India and England. England got 352/5 in 50 overs and India was struggling to at 146/5 at the end of 24 overs, when Kaif joined Yuvraj at the crease. They made 121 runs and Yuvraj was out at 69(63 balls) at 42 over. India won the game with 2 wickets and with 3 balls. This win was India’s greatest victories in ODI cricket.
Yuvraj struggled in first 5 matches in 7 matched of ODI and made the top score in 7th ODI. Yuvraj secured a place in Indian squad in 2003 ICC world cup. Yuvraj scored maiden ODI century for which he became second India to represent the country.
He disappointed ODI with 142 runs in 5 matches but won the test series. Yuvraj won the man of the match award in 2005 even though South Africa won the match. Yuvraj was picked for both ODI and test matches in 2006. Yuvraj got ligament injury in his left feet. Despite concern to his fitness, he was selected to the 2007 world cup and India won the match by 7wickets.
Yuvraj was vice-captain of the Indian squad in ICC world twenty20.In India’s super 8 matches, he has hit six sixes in one over off Andrew Flintoff. Yuvraj at 2011 ICC world cup made 362 runs, including one century and 4 fifties, won four Man-of-the-Match awards and was also awarded the Player of the Tournament. He became the first all-rounder to score 300 plus runs and taken 15 wickets in a single world cup.
His contribution to Indian cricket is enormous and will be the world cup hero for Indian cricket fans.
All the Indian and other cricketing fans and former Indian cricketers convey their best wishes to this player through Twitter through #YuvrajSingh, This is a trending hashtag on Twitter. Even ICC main Twitter account has changed their cover picture to one of Yuvraj’s world cup snap.
Here are few tweets
"After 25 years in cricket I've decided to move on. Cricket has given me everything I have. Thank you for being a part of this journey” : #YuvrajSingh pic.twitter.com/Ez8y49KlH2
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 10, 2019
Yuvraj Singh's record at World Cups:
738 runs @ 52.71
20 wickets @ 23.10
Player of the Tournament in 2011 🥇A World Cup legend 🙌 #ThankYouYuvi pic.twitter.com/gA2qZ6Ssjv
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 10, 2019
Thank you for everything you’ve shown us on and off the field.❤ A true warrior with determination like no other. Good luck Legend 🙏💪 #Yuvi #Legend @YUVSTRONG12 pic.twitter.com/Xe3axWrBNE
— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) June 10, 2019
While it's raining down at the Hampshire Bowl, why don't you sit back and enjoy highlights of Yuvraj Singh's famous innings that helped India knock the holders Australia out of the 2011 World Cup?
Yuvraj announced his retirement from international cricket earlier today. pic.twitter.com/eJnv7SzzNh
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 10, 2019
Players will come and go,but players like @YUVSTRONG12 are very rare to find. Gone through many difficult times but thrashed disease,thrashed bowlers & won hearts. Inspired so many people with his fight & will-power. Wish you the best in life,Yuvi #YuvrajSingh. Best wishes always pic.twitter.com/sUNAoTyNa8
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 10, 2019
What a fantastic career you have had Yuvi.
You have come out as a true champ everytime the team needed you. The fight you put up through all the ups & downs on & off the field is just amazing. Best of luck for your 2nd innings & thanks for all that you have done for 🇮🇳 Cricket.🙌 pic.twitter.com/J9YlPs87fv— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 10, 2019
Well played @YUVSTRONG12. As @sachin_rt once told you, you were there when India needed you. Enjoyed watching you play, that bat swing will be embedded in my memory, and I hope you are happy and at peace in life after a staggering innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 10, 2019
One of the greatest match-winners in the history of the game,a fighter who built an extraordinary career through difficult challenges & came out a winner every time-We all are so proud of you #YuvrajSingh , u can be very proud of what u have you done for our country @YUVSTRONG12 pic.twitter.com/w4wUe31De0
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 10, 2019
Every cricketer dreams of hitting 6 sixes in an over or becoming player of the tournament in world cup. In short, everyone dreams to be #YuvrajSingh..@YUVSTRONG12, You have been the True champion on and off the field…
All the best Yuvi Paa for the second innings… pic.twitter.com/c1zyqUz23U— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) June 10, 2019
Thank you for all the amazing moments, @YUVSTRONG12. My best wishes to you for everything ahead, Yuvi pa!😊#YuvrajSingh
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) June 10, 2019
Congratulations Prince @YUVSTRONG12 on a wonderful career. You were the best ever white ball cricketer India had. @BCCI should retire Number 12 jersey in the tribute to your career. Wish I could bat like you Champion #Yuvrajsinghretires #ThankYouYuvraj #ThankYouYuvi
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) June 10, 2019
Yuvraj Singh has been our cricketing icon for all times with fans across the globe.
Whether as a batsman, bowler or fielder, he always did his best for India. The fighter @YUVSTRONG12 has given us countless memories to cherish.
I extend my warm wishes for his future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/5cYMkXFMeQ
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 10, 2019
That NatWest series final, those six sixes, and the World Cup! Etched in my memory forever. Thank you for the advice, support, and above all, the inspiration @YUVSTRONG12 You will be missed. #YuvrajSingh pic.twitter.com/MfTWYPA01B
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) June 10, 2019
#YuvrajSingh
Cancer couldn't destroy him,
Yuvraj Singh vomiting blood on ground 😢
We can't forget ur DEDICATION yuvraj singh 🙏
Yuvi played with his life for Dreams of Billions 🤘 pic.twitter.com/DnOlZQaBNk— Atul Shokeen🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@atul_shokeen) June 10, 2019
Today my laptop has finally become old.
Thank you #YuvrajSingh ❤️. pic.twitter.com/9ez3d0902J— Adyant Lilhare (@adyant_lilhare) June 10, 2019
Thank you Yuvipa for making our childhood memorable with your world class cricket! 🤩❤️#YuvrajSingh pic.twitter.com/0hkRto39jP
— Dipesh Rathi (@DipeshRathi3) June 10, 2019
Sadness is realising that all players of 2003 WC sqaud has retired.#YuvrajSingh pic.twitter.com/sShNu0x4Zn
— Aditya Sen (@mr_sen_) June 10, 2019
Yuvraj Singh –
1) All time great one day batsman.
2) Batsman with the greatest bat swing ever.
3) Most impressive International debut I have seen from an Indian batsman.
4) A very selfless batsman.
Enjoy your second innings Yuvi! #YuvrajSingh— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 10, 2019
Yuvraj Singh – The Fielder.. 😍😍
Guy who made Indian kids cheer & enjoy Fielding @YUVSTRONG12 pic.twitter.com/VBQsLKz4fd
— Racket Raja (@RacketRajaV2) June 10, 2019
Dear Yuvraj Singh, you may have retired from the competitive cricket game but you will remain a cricketing icon for every Indian & millions across the globe. What a batsman, bowler & fielder you have been!
We are proud of you👍
I extend my best wishes for your future endeavours! pic.twitter.com/mYc4iUgH21— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 10, 2019