For every Indian cricket fan, the 2014 T20 World Cup finale was heartbreaking. The unbeatable side in the tournament had just crumbled in front of Sri Lanka until then. One of his most poor innings had played by Yuvraj Singh, only 11 runs he made for 21 balls. The tide had already moved toward the Lankans by the time he got out. India finished with 130 on 4, which was below the average. Sri Lanka was led by Kumar Sangakkara’s fifty for their first and claimed the T20 World Cup victory.
Many critics and fans highly criticized the left-hand batsman. Years later, the Punjab batsman eventually opened up the feeling of losing the finals. When the 38-year-old explained the incident, he admitted that he is entirely responsible for the loss. But Sri Lankan Captain Lasith Malinga was truly well credited to bowling.
“For that day, I take full responsibility. I haven’t been doing well, ” Yuvraj recalled the incident and speaking with Nikhil Naz in Instagram Live reporter. “There had been several dot balls and six good yorkers bowled by Lasith Malinga, and I, (MS) Dhoni and (Virat) Kohli could not take them away.
Thought my career was over: Yuvraj Singh after 2014 T20 World Cup Final
The batsman said nobody would have responded in that way in an IPL match. He thinks that was another reason for several scrutineering sessions. He also revealed that stones were thrown at his home.
“It was a World Cup finale, sadly. I see many players in an IPL game hitting 11 out of 21 balls, but there’s been a lot of scrutinies. I recall there are a lot of comments on my career as well as on me. I thought I was a villain when I came home. I was attacked by the media, which screamed at me on my way to the airport. Stones have been thrown into my home, too, “said Yuvraj.
The veteran of over 300 ODIs also said that he felt guilty. He said it was deceiving that the success of the T20 World Cup in 2007 and 50 Overs World Cup in 2011 were forgotten by the public early. He also recalled how Sachin Tendulkar requested the media to calm down.
“I had a feeling of guilt. It heard someone shot and went into jail. You have won the 2007 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup, in a player’s career, but if you lose the World Cup, you will get all the criticism, “he said.” Others can’t strike anyone. However, the criticism came to me after I scored 11 of 21. I recall that later that night, Sachin tweeted (urging) media to calm,” added Singh.
After the World Cup, Yuvraj Singh said he felt his career might be over. In 2017 the left-hand batter came back and played the ICC Champions Trophy, where India was the runner-up. “I put my Indian cap on the bat and I hit six sixes and thought my career had ended,” said Yuvraj.
