Yuvraj Singh is all set to play his 300th ODI
What's the story
On 15th June, Yuvraj Singh will play his 300th ODI match, as India take on Bangladesh in the second semi-final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Yuvraj will become only the fifth Indian and the 19th cricketer in the world to achieve this extraordinary feat. Let us have a look at some of the memorable moments of his career till now.
2000
Debut and the journey
Yuvraj Singh made his debut as an 18-year old in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy, then called the ICC KnockOut Trophy. He played his first match against Kenya, but did not get a chance to bat. In the second match against Australia, Yuvraj scored 84 runs to win the 'Man of the Match' award and his innings took India to semi-finals of the tournament.
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Yuvraj's ODI career in numbers
In his 274 innings out of 299 matches, Yuvraj has scored 8622 runs at an average of 36.84. He has scored 14 centuries, with the highest score of 150 which came in 2017 against England. A prolific all-rounder, he has also picked up 111 wickets.
2001
A match-winning innings after a string of poor performances
After a series of single digit scores, Yuvraj was dropped from the team soon after his debut. However, he bounced back with a match winning innings of 98* against Sri Lanka in August 2001. While India lost the series in the end, Yuvraj's innings gave an upward trajectory to his career, and fixed his place in the team as a middle-order batsman.
2002 NatWest Series
Yuvraj Singh becomes India's dependable player
Yuvraj Singh was the pioneer of India's win in the 2002 Natwest Series in England. In the first match, he was awarded the Man of the Match award for his all round performance of 3/39 and 64*. Yuvraj's 69-off-63-balls in the finals at Lord's, along with a 121-run partnership with Mohammad Kaif proved vital in India's historic win in England.
2003 ICC World Cup
India gets a match winner in Yuvraj
At the 2003 ICC World Cup, Yuvraj Singh once again proved his worth as a hard hitter middle-order batsman. In the game against Pakistan, Sachin Tendulkar scored 98-runs as India was chasing 274. However, with Sachin gone and still 97-runs to win, Yuvraj Singh stood up and scored a heroic innings of 50 not-out. His innings made India win in the 46th over.
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First century
Yuvraj Singh hit his first ODI century almost two and half years after his debut match. He scored 102* runs against Bangladesh on 11 April 2003 in the TVS Cup at Dhaka.
2011 World Cup
The Player of the Tournament
With 362 runs, including one century and 15 wickets in the tournament, Yuvraj Singh was adjourned the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2011 World Cup. His match-winning knocks against Ireland (5/31 and 50*), West Indies (113 and 2/18) and Australia (2 wickets and 57*) eased India way into the finals, and eventually made India the winners. He also won four 'MoM' awards.
2017
The return of the veteran
After returning to the ODI side after three years, Yuvraj Singh went on to hit his career best score in the 50-over format. Yuvraj partnered with MS Dhoni for 256 runs and scored 150 runs, helping India put 381 runs on board. The innings helped him secure his place in the Indian team for the 2017 Champions Trophy in England.
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Yuvraj's role in the World Cup wins
Yuvraj played a major part in India's victory in 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup. His contribution with both bat and the ball against big teams helped India win crucial matches and that's why he remains one of India's best all-rounders ever.