Name Hindi: युवराज सिंह / Gender Man
Yuvraj Singh: An Indian Cricket Legend
Yuvraj Singh is universally acknowledged as one of India’s greatest cricket champions. Known for his aggressive batting style and slow left-arm orthodox spin, he has made significant contributions to the sport throughout his career.
Early Life and Beginning in Cricket
Yuvraj was born on December 12, 1981, in Chandigarh, Punjab, India. His father, Yograj Singh, was a former Indian cricketer and consequentially motivated him into pursuing cricket from a young age. He began his training at the age of 11 under Coach KS Bhupalan until he gained entry into the Punjab Under-16s team when he was 13 years old.
Career Highlights
- In 2000, Yuvraj debuted in international cricket against Kenya during the ICC KnockOut Trophy held in Nairobi.
- He became an instant sensation across the global cricket community with his exceptional performance in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 where he hit six consecutive sixes — a feat achieved by only a handful of players in international cricket history.
- In recognition for that stunning display of power-hitting, he received both the “Man of the Match” and “Player of the Tournament” awards.
- A crowning achievement encapsulates leading Team India to victory in the 2011 World Cup tournament where he bagged four Man-of-the-Match awards and emerged as the “Player of the Tournament.”
- In test matches too, Yuvraj excelled. Most notably with his maiden Test hundred scored against Pakistan at Lahore on March 24, 2004.
Becoming a Legend
Yuvraj’s career was not always smooth sailing. In 2011, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor of the lung and had to undergo vigorous medical treatment for over a year. But demonstrating his indomitable spirit and resolve, he made an impressive comeback into international cricket by September 2012 showing that a champion is never defeated but merely challenged.
Retirement and Post-Cricket Career
In 2019, after two decades in professional cricket, Yuvraj announced his retirement from the sport leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. Post-retirement, Yuvraj has been active as a philanthropist mainly through his charity organization “YouWeCan,” which focuses on creating cancer awareness and providing aid to underprivileged cancer patients in India.
Awards & Recognition
Apart from numerous Man-of-the-match awards and Player-of-the-tournament recognitions, Yuvraj was awarded one of India’s highest sporting honours: The Arjuna Award (in 2012). He has also received the Padma Shri award–the fourth highest civilian honour (in 2014) conferred by the Government of India for his immense contributions to Indian cricket.
In conclusion, Yuvraj Singh with his inspiring journey both on and off the field is an epitome of courage, determination, and unwavering perseverance making him a legend not just in the realm of cricket, but life itself.
