The last of an era: It’s curtains for Yuvraj Singh’s illustrious career

In his international career of about 19 years, Singh delivered many match-winning performances, and some firsts that will forever remain etched in the annals of cricket

With his retirement from international cricket, Yuvraj Singh has brought the curtains down not only on a career full of highs, lows and fighting comebacks, but also an era of resurgent Indian cricketers out to redefine themselves on international stage. He was perhaps the last of the time when a group of young cricketers, with their sheer perseverance, had emerged out of the dark shadows of a match-fixing scandal that had left the India cricket team in tatters in late 1990s. They had built for themselves a moniker that meant more than the words themselves — ‘Men in Blue’.

In his international career of about 19 years, Singh delivered many match-winning performances, and some firsts that will forever remain etched in the annals of cricket. He was a perfect blend of deep-rooted sentimental passion for the game and brawny aggression. How Yuvraj Singh matured as a cricketer over years can be summarised by two very poignant images that come to mind when you think of the man: The first is that of a young Yuvraj, almost teary-eyed, after failing to see his team through in the final match of the NatWest trophy against England in 2002 — India went on to win the match and the series. And the second is that of a Yuvraj who was aggression himself when he hit England’s Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in the 2007 T20 World Cup — India not only won this match but also the trophy.

When Yuvraj Singh made his debut against Australia in 2000, he announced his arrival on the world stage quite emphatically. He scored 84 off 80 balls against a lethal Australian bowling attack of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, on a day when India’s top order had failed to show any resistance to the pace trio. This reinforced the country’s belief that it had finally found a match winner. Though he missed his maiden century by 16 runs, his innings helped knock the then world champions Australia out of the tournament. A star was born.

Singh, along with Mohd Kaif, is also credited with reinventing India’s fielding and running between the wickets — neither was counted among the team’s strengths before him. He also showed the team how they could back themselves up to convert half chances. If jaw-dropping catches at point or covers and stunning run-outs are a common feature with the Indian team of today, it has the early grit of Yuvraj and a few others to thank…