India’s World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a glorious playing career.
The player announced the news in Mumbai on Monday, quoting, “After 25 years, I have decided to move on. Cricket has given me everything and is the reason why I stand here today.
“I was extremely lucky to play 400 games for India. I could have never imagined it when I first started playing cricket,” he added.
“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.”
6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ 😭@YUVSTRONG12, Indian cricket will miss your services. Thank you for the endless memories. 🇮🇳♥️#YuvrajSingh #HappyRetirement
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) June 10, 2019
The 37-year-old will be finishing his career having played 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is for India and in the midst, established himself as one of the finest players to have ever graced the sport. He arguably remains the hero for India in their 2011 World Cup triumph wherein he smashed four half-centuries, a ton, and picked 15 wickets including a five-wicket haul against Ireland. As India won their second World title, Yuvraj was credited as the man of the tournament.
Speaking to the media, the 37-year-old also said that the World Cup victory, his six sixes against England in 2007 and his first ton – which cane against Pakistan in Lahore in 2004 – remain three of his most memorable moments.
Yuvraj Singh holds the distinction of being the only player to:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 10, 2019
- Win the World Cup, T20 World Cup and U19 CWC
- To score 50+ in knockouts of all three World Cups.#ThankYouYuvraj
A year after the World Cup though, a severe low followed as the all-rounder was diagnosed with cancer. “I was not going to let that disease defeat me,” he said. And he indeed came back, but was never the same, to say the least.
Yuvraj has shone in bits and pieces since and last played his last ODI for India in 2017 against West Indies. His last T20I appearance also came in the same year against England. His last Test, however, was played way back in 2012.
Meanwhile, Yuvraj has been a constant part of the Indian T20 League since his return and said that he will continue playing in the ICC approved foreign T20 Leagues.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Prakash Singh
