Yuvraj Singh - Fielding god at point

Yuvraj Singh - Fielding god at point

                                       I think its 2002 i used to play cricket in my school with friends. We know only Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid and Kumble at that time. Still i remember one day i saw a news in that Sourav Ganguly removed his tshirt and chanting from pavilion. My friends told that India have won match against England and won the Natwest series. I thought either Ganguly or Sachin may hit century thats why India won the match. Few months later India announced the squad for 2003 world cup. Along with well known players a fair guy included in the squad. That is the first time im hearing the name Yuvraj Singh. Later i came to know that natwest win became possible just because of young players Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh.

                                       Eventhough i heard many things about yuvi my mind doesnt accept him as a star player until i have seen a wonderful knock from him. Yes that day came, It was a world cup league match against England. India bat first Sachin scored half century. Sehwag and Ganguly didnt score much. Rahul Dravid alone fighting at one end. I saw him again he came to bat after Mongia wicket. That time only i got to know Yuvraj is a left hand batsman. Yuvi scored only 42 runs in that match. The knock played by him looks different from other Indian players. He smashed 4 boundaries and 1 six with strike rate more than 100. I started to see him with a hope. Not only in batting, even in fielding too. When other Indian running behind ball till boundary, Yuvi stopping the ball within the circle itslef. 

                            After 2003 world cup yuvi became an unavoidable player in Indian cricket. But it took another 4 years to remember a best knock from him. Im not talking about 2007 world cup, that is a nightmare for Indians. After that worst tournament, BCCI made many changes in team. Being a senior most and skilled guy i thought they will make yuvi as captain. But BCCI made Dhoni as captain. A bit disappointment. Today im thinking that is the best ever decision made by BCCI. India went to play the first ever T20 world cup under the captaincy of Dhoni. Not having that much hope on that team. I didnt see the group matches and India lost their first match of Super Eight against New Zealand. Second match i didnt saw because of this loss. But i came to know that Yuvi smashed 6 sixes in an over from a new bowler. Then i saw the highlights of that match. Andrew Flintoff talking something to Yuvi that words tempt him more. In the very next over Yuvraj smashed 6 sixes in an over and completed his fifty in 12 balls which is the fastest ever in the world. Without knowing myself i enjoyed that moment.

                            Many Yuvi fans may tell this innings as best in yuvi career. But my favourite is a different match in the same tournament. It was a semi final match of 2007 T20 WC. Yuvi smashed the furious Aussie bowling attack alone and scored a lighting knock of 70 runs from just 30 balls with 5 boundaries and 5 sixes. Both Yuvi and Dhoni smashed the world class Aussie bowlers Bret lee, M Johnson and Nathan Bracken. Still i remember that knock. 

                           Years have rolled out, Yuvi became the vice captain of India in 2011 world cup. Fans got to know that he is suffering from cancer. This is the last world cup for our legend Sachin, so i expected a perfect send off for him with trophy. It became true because of this lone fighter. Lone means im not telling inside ground. Yuvi fought lonely against his cancer. He didnt lost his spirit, two times he took 5 wickets and 50 runs in a same match in that tournament. Four times he became man of the match. Finally became player of the series too. During a match against West Indies he sit on the ground and felt too tired. Still he scored century in that match. Later i heard that he vomit blood after returning to dressing room. He played like a gambler, kept his life for win. In Quarter Finals India faced the mighty Australia again. Yuvi loves to play against Australia thats why he stood till end and finish the game along with Raina. 

                           Yuvi not only creating records, he is the biggest inspiration for many Indian players in fielding. People used to call him as Indian Johnty Rhodes.Such kind of elegant and aggressive player. We can easily divide Indian team into two before and after Yuvi. Before Yuvi, Indian players were underdogs in fielding, their batsmen will bat and bowlers will bowl. Apart from that they are not trying to save runs through fielding and taking catches with a dive. But Yuvi changed this, he never hesitate to dive for stopping a ball. Its difficult for opponent batsmen to score at point when Yuvi was there. 

                           Im accepting the truth that he is not in form for the recent years. Its not only because of cancer. India found many young all rounders for his position. Past IPL season also not a big season for him. Yuvi fans expected him to play in 2019 world cup.They know it will never happen. But Yuvi decided to take rest from International cricket as well as from IPL. Thanks Yuvi for making significant change in Indian cricket. I will never forget your diving, effortless sixes, sexy shots and aggressive part time bowling. Hope i will see you as a mentor for young cricketers soon.

                    Being a 90's kid 2003 world cup team is dream indian team for me. But the sad thing is everyone got retired from that team. Yuvi is the last person getting retire from cricket. May be he retired from cricket. But ill remember Yuvi whenever i see an indian player stopping ball and saving runs at boundary.