(AFP Photo)
Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian all-rounder celebrated for his pivotal role in India’s triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, recently unveiled his ultimate playing XI, notably omitting his former captain MS Dhoni. Among his picks were only three Indian batsmen, opting instead for a formidable lineup that included four Australians.
At the top, Yuvraj selected the iconic Sachin Tendulkar alongside former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting. His middle order featured Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at numbers three and four respectively.
Tendulkar, renowned as cricket’s leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs, stands as a colossus in the sport’s history. Meanwhile, Ponting, who holds the record for most runs scored in Tests and ODIs by an Australian, also captained his country to World Cup glory in 2003 and 2007, underscoring his influence on the game.
Yuvraj Singh’s all-time playing XI featured some distinguished names from the cricketing world, including former South African captain and batting maestro Ab de Villiers, alongside England’s versatile all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. For the crucial wicketkeeper-batsman role, Yuvraj opted for the explosive former Australian opener Adam Gilchrist.
Gilchrist’s illustrious career saw him play a pivotal role in Australia’s dominance, particularly in ODI cricket, where he secured three consecutive World Cup victories in 1999, 2003, and 2007. Notably, in the 2007 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka in Barbados, Gilchrist left an indelible mark by smashing 149 runs, showcasing his unmatched prowess on cricket’s grandest stage.
Yuvraj’s bowling attack in his dream team comprised the spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, alongside the legendary Shane Warne, who retired with a remarkable 708 Test wickets. Seam stalwarts Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram rounded out the formidable quartet. McGrath’s consistency and Akram’s swing mastery contributed to over 900 wickets each for Australia and Pakistan, respectively, underscoring their dominance across formats.
Yuvraj reserved the 12th man spot for himself, ensuring his presence in a lineup adorned with cricketing legends who defined eras with their exceptional skills and match-winning performances.
Yuvi’s career for India
The former left-handed batting all-rounder from Chandigarh marked his international debut for India on October 3, 2000, against Kenya in Nairobi, although he did not get an opportunity to bat in that match. Over the course of his illustrious 17-year career representing India, he featured in 40 Tests, 304 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, accumulating 1900, 8701, and 1177 runs in each format, respectively.
Known for his dual prowess, he also made significant contributions with the ball, claiming a total of 148 wickets across all formats. His standout performance came during the 2011 ODI World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India’s triumph, securing 15 wickets in the tournament. The pinnacle of his career was reaching its zenith when India clinched the World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium on April 2, 2011.
