A young gun of Indian Cricket Team
A big favourite of Indian cricket fans (and especially
the female cricket fans), the beloved Yuvi made his one day International debut
against Kenya at Nairobi in 2000, at the ICC KnockOut Trophy. He showed his potential
in his second ODI which was against the Australians where he scored a quick fire
84 off 82 balls against a quality pace attack consisting of bowlers like Glenn McGrath,
Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie. However, after a lean run of form, he was dropped
for the one-day against Australia in India in early 2001, but returned later
in the year and helped India to victory in a match in Sri Lanka with an unbeaten
98.
Born on 12 December 1981 in a Punjabi Jat family
from Chandigarh, Yuvraj is the son of former Indian fast bowler and Punjabi movie
star Yograj Singh. He has been a member of the Indian cricket team since 2000 and
played his first test match in 2003. He was the vice captain of the ODI team from
late 2007 to late 2008. At the 2007 Twenty-Twenty World Cup he hit six sixes in
an over against England's Stuart Broad—a feat performed only three times previously
in any form of senior cricket and never previously in an international match between
two test cricket nations.
One of his most memorable innings was a partnership with Mohammad Kaif in the NatWest
Series final against England in July 2002 which led India to victory. He was selected
and represented India at the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He scored his first century
in his fourth season with the Indian team against Bangladesh in 2003. After that
he also scored hundreds against Zimbabwe and Australia, including a 139 off 119
balls at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In the Indian Oil Cup 2005, he made 110 off
114 balls and an important partnership worth 165 runs with Mohammad Kaif to become
the man of the match against West Indies.
Yuvraj had a good run of form late in 2005 and early in 2006, in the ODI format.
He was named as the man of the series in three consecutive series, against South
Africa (joint with Graeme Smith), and then against Pakistan and England, in which
he scored three centuries and four half-centuries in fifteen matches, which propelled
him into the top ten of the ICC ODI batting rankings. During the Pakistan tour,
at times when captain and vice-captain Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag were absent,
Yuvraj was the on-field captain, indicating that he may be seen as a potential captain.
In the next series in the West Indies, Yuvraj hit two fifties in four games, even
though India lost the series 4-1. His performance was recognised with his short
listing by the ICC as one of four nominees for the International One Day player
of the year award.
Yuvi – the batting maestro, the bowling king and also a style icon has something
more to his credit that his fans should know. The Yuvraj Singh Foundation (YSF)
is an initiative of Yuvraj who has long been associated with multiple charities.
Established in February 2009, the YSF believes that ‘All children should have access
to Sports, Health & Education facilities. Additionally it is our responsibility
to protect and conserve the environment for future generations to enjoy.’
YSF uses the power of stardom to facilitate funds for initiatives
that apply to its S.H.E.E. (Sports, Health, Education & Environmental development)
model which works along two verticals :
- To provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to enjoy their childhood
and
- To sponsor exceptional emerging sporting talent.
YSF partners with NGOs working at the community level, identifies change agents
to promote its selected causes and raises financial, technical and human resources
to support project impact agenda.
So, this is Yuvraj Singh for you. A young gun of Indian cricket squad that shows
its power and range frequently and apart from being a youth icon sets out an example
for Indian youth to be a committed and responsible citizen.
