2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Yuvraj Singh Dedicates His Innings To Cancer Survivors 1
Yuvraj Singh.

In a heart-warming gesture, Yuvraj Singh has dedicated his match-defining innings in the Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan on Sunday (June 4) to Cancer survivors.

June 4 is celebrated as Cancer Survivors Day after the move began last year to celebrate the brave individuals who defeat the deadly illness. The southpaw also dedicated his brilliant innings to those affected by the London terror attacks on Saturday night (June 3) which killed seven and injured other 48.

Yuvraj came to the crease when India was in danger of squandering a good start provided by Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. With rain disrupting the game every now and then, the Indian players were finding it tough to up the ante but Yuvraj changed the course of the innings as soon as he joined Virat Kohli in the middle in the 37th over.

The veteran batsman scored 53 runs off just 32 balls including eight fours and a maximum, as the innings got the much-needed impetus. His knock also helped Kohli to open his arms and the skipper went all out in the last few overs to help India collect 72 runs in the last fours overs. The innings ended with Hardik Pandya hitting sixes off the first three balls of left-arm spinner Imad Wasim’s last over of the innings, as the Men in Blue posted a massive 319 for three in an innings that was reduced to 48 overs due to rain.

In reply, Pakistan, who were set a revised target of 289 in 41 overs, could only manage 164 for nine, with their injured last man Wahab Riaz unable to bat due to an injury he suffered while bowling. India won the game by 124 runs (DLS method) with 44 balls remaining to start their title defence in a great style.

Yuvraj Singh was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superlative knock and the 35-year old, a cancer survivor, dedicated the knock to the cancer survivors.

“My innings on #CancerSurvivorDay is dedicated to all the heroes & survivors. Also my thoughts & Prayers to all impacted in #londonattack,” tweeted the 2011 World Cup hero.