Yuvraj Singh retires from international cricket

Yuvraj Singh has called time on his international career, finishing up after 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is in which he established himself as the best Indian allrounder of his generation – an explosive batsman, useful slow left-arm bowler and dynamic fielder. “It’s time to move on,” he said at a press briefing in Mumbai.

The greatest triumph for Yuvraj, now 37, was undoubtedly the 2011 World Cup, when he hit four half-centuries and a century, while also picking up 15 wickets – including a five-for against Ireland – on his way to the Man of the Tournament award as India won the trophy for only the second time.

That, however, was followed by a terrible low, as Yuvraj was diagnosed with mediastinal seminoma, a germ-cell tumour located between his two lungs. The diagnosis was confirmed in February 2012, and he stayed out of the game till December that year, when he made a comeback following treatment. The returns following that were a mixed bag, though, and he last turned out in national colours in June 2017 in an ODI during India’s tour of the West Indies.

Still a regular in the Indian Premier League and, occasionally, for Punjab in the domestic circuit, Yuvraj ended with an outstanding ODI record of 8701 runs – 22nd in the overall list, and seventh among Indians – at an average of 36.55 and 111 wickets. In his sporadic Test appearances, he scored three centuries and 11 half-centuries in aggregating 1900 runs, and in T20Is – where he headlined India’s 2007 title-winning effort with a blast of six sixes in a Stuart Broad over – he ended with 1177 runs and 28 wickets.

Career highlights

• January 2000: Yuvraj’s talent is spotted fairly early and he makes a mark in India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph in Sri Lanka in 2000. He makes 203 runs at 33.83 and also impresses with his left-arm spin. Less than a year later, he is a part of the national team.

• October 2000: Yuvraj hits the headlines in just his second ODI when the Indian team is emerging out of the match-fixing crisis under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. Against Australia in the quarter-finalof the ICC Knockout Tournament, Yuvraj blazes to 84 off 80 balls in a memorable win.

• July 2002: In one of India’s finest moments in ODI cricket, Yuvraj, who made 69, and Mohammad Kaif combine to hand their team a thrilling two-wicket win while chasing 325 in the NatWest Series final against England at Lord’s. It also seals Yuvraj’s place in the ODI team for good.

• September 2007: In the inaugural World Twenty20, Yuvraj enters the record books, smashing Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over. He followed up with a match-winning 70 against Australia in the semi-finalsthat put India on the road to a historic title win.

• September 2007: In the inaugural World T20, Yuvraj enters the record books, smashing Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over. He followed up with a match-winning 70 against Australia in the semi-finalsthat put India on the road to a historic title win.

• Feb 19 – Apr 2, 2011: A dream World Cup for Yuvraj, as he scores 362 runs – including one centuries and four fifties – takes 15 wickets, wins four Man-of-the-Match awards, and is also Player of the Tournament. In the process, he becomes the first allrounder to score 300-plus runs and take 15 wickets in a single World Cup.

_More to follow…_