Yuvraj Singh Turns 33, 2015 World Cup Still in His Dreams?
Yuvraj Singh was not picked among the probables for the World Cup next year. The left-handed all-rounder was India's hero in the 2011 World Cup triumph.
Yuvraj Singh, hero of India's triumph in 2007 World T20 and protagonist of the 2011 World Cup win turned 33 on Friday. Having been ignored for the World Cup next year, Yuvi, as he is fondly called by teammates and friends, may have to be content with materialistic presents.
Yuvraj was among the 'Big 5' who were left out of the 30 probable shortlisted for the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia. The Man of the Tournament in the last edition missed the bus along with other stalwarts like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. (For Yuvraj, Harbhajan India Door is Closed)
However, despite an array of younger players dominating the Indian team and a host of others waiting in the queue, Yuvraj is not willing to give up. He reminded the selectors of his class with a 160-ball 130 for Punjab in a Ranji Trophy match against Haryana. Will the five wise men of Indian cricket take note? The birthday boy can only hope.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY @YUVSTRONG12 !!! Have a banging year ahead??
- Sid Mallya (@sidmallya) December 12, 2014
Yuvraj's came of age as an all-rounder in during India's victorious campaign in the 2011 World Cup. With 362 runs and 15 wickets from nine games, Yuvraj was the key player who ensured that India won the title on their home soil. He scored one century and four fifties.
After the grace, came the fall. Yuvraj's biggest battle was off the field when he was diagnosed with cancer after the World Cup. But the flamboyant left-handed batsman successfully overcame the ailment and made an eventual comeback in 2012 in a T20 match against New Zealand. But the same consistency that had seen Yuvi reach the pinnacle of success was well beyond him.
@YUVSTRONG12 happy happy bday Yuvi..
- Esha Gupta (@eshagupta2811) December 12, 2014
While he may no longer be on the selectors' radar, on this special day it is time to remember not a fallen hero, but a legacy which he has left in the limited overs format for India. Yuvraj is a prime example that form is temporary, but the class of a player is permanent.