Yuvraj Singh announces retirement from international cricket

India’s World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has decided to call time on his international career. The legendary cricketer who gave his everything to win the World Cup for his country in 2011 was not part of the Indian team since June 2017. There were indications of him bringing curtains down on his career on Sunday itself and Yuvraj confirmed it today in a press conference in Mumbai.

Yuvraj Singh never really consistently played for India after 2011 World Cup. He was diagnosed with Cancer after the mega event and had to undergo treatment. He made a stunning comeback to the international arena again but was in and out of the side frequently. However, his last mega ICC event turned out to be Champions Trophy 2017 where India reached the final and lost to Pakistan.

His fitness was not at the expected levels combined with the poor form which led to Yuvraj Singh going down in the pecking order. At one stage, he was hopeful of making a comeback to play in the 2019 World Cup but the Indian team looked beyond him after some time.

Two World Cups and an illustrious career

Although Yuvraj Singh didn’t get the much-deserved farewell series, his cricketing career is nothing less than awesome. He was part of India’s triumph in the inaugural World T20 (now T20 World Cup) in 2007 where he smacked six sixes against England off Stuart Broad and then scored 70 off just 30 balls in the semi-final against Australia which turned the game on its head.

Yuvraj Singh was the Man of the tournament in the World Cup 2011 which was a memorable and an emotional event for the whole nation. He scored 362 runs in 8 innings at an impeccable average of 90.50 and also went on to pick 15 wickets with the ball to play the most crucial role in India’s title-winning run.

The 37-year-old played 304 ODIs, 58 T20Is and 40 Tests for India. Though he is regarded as one of the best limited-overs players India has ever produced, Yuvraj Singh could never justify his talent in the white. He accumulated 8701 runs in 278 innings in the 50-over format with 14 centuries to his name and also picked 111 wickets to show his all-round prowess.

Yuvi averaged a decent 33.93 in Tests as well mustering 1900 runs while the southpaw amassed 1177 runs at a strike-rate of 136.38 with eight half-centuries. Yuvraj Singh is now expected to ply his trade in the foreign T20 leagues and the fans will hope that he lights up every tournament he plays.