One performance is not enough to highlight Yuvraj Singh’s contribution to Indian cricket. But if there was one phase when he ruled world cricket, it had to be during the ICC World Cup in 2011. And the man who almost single-handedly won India the coveted trophy announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday.
“After 25 years, I have decided to move on. Cricket has given me everything and is the reason why I stand here today,” the 37-year-old said addressing the media in the extravagant interiors of a star hotel that quite resembled his flamboyant batting.
“It was a love-hate relationship with this game. I can’t explain what it really means to me. This game taught me to fight. I have failed more times than I succeeded and I will never give up,” he said.
“Winning the 2011 World Cup, being man of the series, four MoM awards was all like a dream, which was followed with a harsh reality of getting diagnosed with cancer,” reminisced Yuvraj.
The dashing all-rounder thanked his friends and family
“All this happened so quickly and that too when I was at the peak of my career. I can’t possibly explain the support of my family and friends who stood by me, like my pillars of strength and courage. The BCCI and BCCI president at that time, N Srinivasan, too supported me during my treatment,” he added.
Yuvi last played a Test match for India in 2012 and featured in a limited-overs series in 2017.
In the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), he had almost gone unsold before Mumbai Indians grabbed him at his base price. He played only four matches for the franchise scoring 98 runs with one half-century.
