Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh was the crucial middle-order batsman for the national side. The team had to wait for a bit longer, to find his replacement till Shreyas Iyer came out as the perfect batsman at No. 4 spot. The hard-hitting batsman has registered many winning knocks for India and today is the day, when we relish his match-winning knock against the West Indies which came duirng the league match of the 2011 World Cup.
Yes, on this day (20th Match), nine years ago in 2011, Yuvraj Singh scored his maiden World Cup hundred to lead India to victory by 80 runs. It was his best innings in the mega event.
Yuvraj Singh scored 113 runs under pressure:
Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat first. Sachin Tendulkar lost his wicket after scoring just two runs and his opening partner Gautam Gambir was also out after scoring 22 runs. Then Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh stitched up a strong partnership of 122 runs for the third wicket before the former lost his wicket.
Kohli scored 59 runs off 76 balls though Yuvraj carries on his innings.
However, Yuvraj Singh’s health deteriorated during the batting. He was seen throwing up on the field multiple times but it didn’t halt the southpaw to score runs.
Moreover, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, the runs were hard to get because of the slow nature of the pitch. He struck 113 runs in 123 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 91.86.
With his effort, India set the fighting total of 268 runs as the team was all out. Yuvraj not only contributed through his bat but also picked two-wicket Devon Thomas and the dangerous Andre Russell.
While he gave only 19 runs in four overs. He was also adjudged with the Man of the Match award for his prolific contribution in the team’s win.
Yuvraj suffered from cancer:
Yuvraj was not aware of the fact that he was suffering from a dangerous disease. After the West Indies match, he was asked about his health in the post-match presentation.
At that time, he answered that he was suffering from stomach cramps. It was later after the World Cup 2011 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
In 2014, while talking to Aaj Tak in 2014, Yuvraj had said:
“I first thought it was because of the Chennai heat. I always wanted a World Cup hundred, which never happened because I had batted at 6. But Viru opted out of the World Cup, so I decided to make it big. I prayed to God that whatever happens, even if I die afterward, let India win the World Cup.”
The 38-year-old has retired from the cricket last year after he was not selected in the World Cup 2019 squad. Currently, the player make his presence felt in the league matches.