Cricket Photos

Yuvraj Singh's top 12 knocks

December 12, 2013 17:16

One of the best finishers of the game, Yuvraj Singh is a treat for Indian cricket fans when on song. His timing, high backlift and power-packed shots make each of his knocks praiseworthy. But as the list of such knocks is a long one, we shortlist his best 12 knocks on. Why 12? Well, it's his 32nd birthday and what better way than to celebrate with the times when he has set the stage on fire.

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One of the best finishers of the game, Yuvraj Singh is a treat for Indian cricket fans when on song. His timing, high backlift and power-packed shots make each of his knocks praiseworthy. But as the list of such knocks is a long one, we shortlist his best 12 knocks on. Why 12? Well, it's his 32nd birthday and what better way than to celebrate with the times when he has set the stage on fire.
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84 vs Australia in 2000: This is when the world got to know the potential of Yuvraj Singh. In only his second ODI and a month before his 18th birthday, Yuvraj unleashed himself against world champions Australia in the ICC Knock Out and made 84 runs. His innings helped India see Australia out of the tournament.
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69 vs England in 2002: This was the NatWest final in 2002. And this match heralded the new era of Indian cricket. Chasing a mammoth total of 325 runs, India were tottering at 146 for 5 when Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh combined. These young Turks took up the challenge and successfully chased the target. While Yuvraj faltered towards the end, he was the first one to jump the fence and run onto the field once Zaheer Khan and Kaif crossed for the winning run.
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57 vs Australia in World Cup: It was the quarter-final match between India and the defending champions. Electing to bat, Australia had scored 260 runs in Ahmedabad. After Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir slammed half-centuries, the finishing task was left to Yuvraj. The flamboyant batsman slammed an unbeaten 57 runs to send them packing. The loss put an end to Australia's reign as the world champions and ensured India a berth in the semi-final.
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58 vs England in World T20 in 2007: This particular game of T20 took Yuvraj Singh to another level. Stirred by Andrew Flintoff, Yuvraj vented his anger in the next over that was bowled by Stuart Broad. He hit him for six sixes to score a quickfire 58 runs and knock the England team out of the tournament. With this he taught the world that it's never a good idea to irk a Punjab da puttar.
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118 vs England in 2008: During England's tour of India in 2008, Yuvraj slammed two centuries. He slammed an unbeaten 138 in Rajkot and played a balanced innings of 118 in Indore. While the first hundred was brutal, the second was a mature one. On a batting paradise of Rajkot, he had the English bowlers at his mercy but in Indore he was playing a different role. He took the field when India were struggling at 29/3 on a difficult batting pitch. From there on he built a good partnership of 134 runs with Gautam Gambhir. He made 118 runs in 122 balls.
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113 vs West Indies in ICC World Cup 2011: Yuvraj Singh came into the World Cup after a lean phase. As always he had saved his best for the biggest stage and emerged as the Man of the Tournament. He had scored 362 runs at a staggering average of 90.50 in 9 matches. His only century came against the West Indies in the 42nd match of the tournament. He made 113 runs to take his side to 268 runs. In reply, the Windies were done in for 188 runs.
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85 vs England in the 1st Test in 2008: This Test match has an emotional importance as it was played after the Mumbai terror attacks. England team, who had abandoned the ODI series and went back after the attacks, came back soon for the Test series. Played at Chennai amid tight security, India needed 387 runs in the second innings to win the match. Sachin Tendulkar (103 not out), and Yuvraj (85 not out) won the match to bring smiles to their wounded, hurt and angry nation. They dedicated this win to Mumbai.
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110 vs West Indies in 2006: After struggling with his form for long, Yuvraj Singh regained his magical touch in this match, although he had missed out on a hundred in the preceding match just by 2 runs. Known for his ability to bat well under pressure, Yuvraj once again pulled his side out of trouble. The West Indies pacers had reduced India to 51/3 in Colombo. Their fiery pace had Sourav Ganguly in hospital as he had injured his unguarded arm. Yuvraj and Kaif joined again to see their side through. They played the middle overs cautiously, stole singles and then changed the gear in the slog overs. While Yuvraj slammed 110, Kaif got a half-century.
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169 vs Pakistan in Bangalore in 2007: All his three Test tons have come against Pakistan, the last one came in 2007 in Bangalore when he made a magnificent 169 runs with Sourav Ganguly playing on the other end. While Ganguly stole the show with a double hundred, Yuvraj's performance got him a place in the Test side for the following Australia series.
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70 vs Australia in World T20 semi-final: In the 2007 World T20 semi-final between India and Australia, Yuvraj was at his murderous best. He scored 70 runs in 30 balls at an average of 233.33. He took his side's score to 188 runs, which proved to be too much for the Aussies who managed to score 173. As a result they packed their bags and paved the way to the final for India.
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139 vs Australia in 2004: During the 2003-2004 tri-series in Australia, India were playing Australia in the 7th match. Electing to bat, India were 80 for 3 at one stage. That's when Yuvraj and VVS Laxman joined hands to bat through the innings. Both these batsmen scored centuries While Laxman was playing a patient knock, Yuvraj was at his aggressive best. He scored 139 runs before being bowled out by Brett Lee. Although India lost the match, this remains one of the best knocks from the southpaw.
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112 vs Pakistan in 2004: In the second Test during India's historical tour to Pakistan, Yuvraj played an extremely mature knock. On a seaming track of Lahore where Indian batsmen struggled to find their feet, Yuvraj made a face-saving 112 runs. Though India lost the match, Yuvraj proved that he had a cool head and mature head on his young shoulders.

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