Fighting back tears, Yuvraj Singh on Monday announced retirement from international cricket, ending a “rollercoaster” career during which he became the hero of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph and fought a gritty battle with cancer.
“After 25 years, I have decided to move on. Cricket has given me everything and is the reason why I stand here today,” the 37-year-old Yuvraj said addressing the media in Mumbai.
“I was extremely lucky to play 400 games for India. I could have never imagined it when I first started playing cricket,” he added.
Yuvraj played 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is for India. He put together 1900 runs in the longest format, and 8701 in the one-dayers, the format in which he enjoyed most success.
The 37-year-old Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from international cricket on June 10, 2019.
In the 2002 Natwest Tri-series against England, chasing a target of 325, Yuvraj and Kaif stitched together a 121-run partnership to put India on course. Though Yuvraj was dismissed for 69, Kaif went on to take India to victory.
Yuvraj Singh smashed 6 sixes in an over from Stuart Broad during the 2007 World T20 championship.
In the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj took 15 wickets and scored 362 runs, including some crucial knocks against Australia and against Sri Lanka in the final.
Yuvraj Singh played a pivotal role for India in the 2011 ICC World Cup to earn the man of the series award.
Yuvraj scored an important 27 in the 2000 Under 19 World Cup finals. Mohammad Kaif was the captain of the side.
After his successful 2011 World Cup campaign, Yuvraj was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his left lung. Yuvraj returned to India in 2012 after his successful cancer treatment and was even selected for the 2012 ICC World T20 held in Sri Lanka.
Yuvraj Singh registered two hat-tricks in IPL 2009. One against Royal Challengers Bangalore and another against Deccan Chargers
Indian captain Virat Kohli on Yuvraj Singh retirement: Congratulations on a wonderful career playing for the country paji. You gave us so many memories and victories and I wish you the best for life and everything ahead. Absolute champion
Despite being a good shorter format player, Yuvraj has shown his brilliance in Tests too. In the 2008 Test series against England, chasing a stiff target of 387, he and Sachin Tendulkar took India to victory.
In the 2007 India-Pakistan bilateral series, Yuvraj won the man-of-the-series by scoring 272 runs and taking 3 wickets in the five-match series.
