90s Kid’s Superstars: Yuvraj Singh

​”And he has put it away or has he?… yes! In to the crowd. Six 6s in an over.” These words excites every Indian but it’s not about the words. It’s about the man who gave life to these words. Yes, I am talking about Yuvraj Singh. It was Yuvraj Singh show that night. That night was a nightmare for the English players and supporters. Andrew Flintoff, who provoked him wouldn’t have thought that he will see best of Yuvraj. That gesture of Flintoff adds more ecstacy to that moment. A normal Indian gets excited after watching that moment but a 90s kid gets ecstatic after watching that moment. 90s kids have a special connection with Yuvraj. Yuvraj’s career has grown with them.

Yuvraj made his debut in 2000. It was a great start to his career. He played an impactful innings against Australia in the knock out trophy in Nairobi. Then Ganguly as a captain nurtured his talent by giving him the opportunities and confidence he needed as a youngster. In the beginning of his career, he was live wire in the field. He has taken some stunning catches while fielding at backward point and gully. With the bat, he showed his character against stronger teams. His record against Australia and England is better than most of the other Indian players. Yuvraj showed the signs of greatness in 2002 natwest final in England.

Being a 90s kid, I have always loved his approach towards the game. Yuvraj’s vibe on the field is cheerful and impressive. After that natwest final in 2002, he never looked back. He built his career on the base of his superb knocks and stunning catches. By 2007, Yuvraj was integral part of Indian dressing room and then t20 world cup happened. Yuvraj started approaching greatness after the superb knocks in that world cup. He started showing the world that the more aggressive he gets, the better he performs. In that world cup, he proved that he is the man of big tournaments. I was growing with him and was falling in love with his batting and hitting ability.

Before 2011 world cup, questions were raised on his selection in the team as he was out of form. Yuvraj fought hard and won the man of the series award in that tournament. Those who were raising questions on his selection before the world cup were trying to take credit of his success during the world cup. Everybody goes through a lean patch in his/her career. It doesn’t mean that person is not good anymore. Yuvraj’s never say die attitude has inspired a lot. He has come out of lows of life and has touched the sky but the real test of his life began after the 2011 world cup. Yuvraj was diagnosed with rare germ cell cancer. When the news broke out that Yuvraj has a tumour in his body and he has to go through chemotherapy to remove it then I was one of those million people who was praying for him day in and day out.

People often loose hope in such situations but he fought hard, went through chemotherapy and made comeback on the field. He was at the peak in his career when life pulled him back but he didn’t give up. It was his fighting spirit which pushed him to make a comeback on the cricket field. People raised questions on his fitness and his ability to hit the ball after cancer but he silenced everyone with his hard work and dedication. Even today he is fighting for the place in the Indian team and his performances are knocking the doors rather breaking the doors of selection. Through out his life, he has given the message of ‘no matter what don’t give up’ through his fighting spirit. As a 90s kid, I adulate this truly inspiring superstar.

90s Kid’s Superstars: Shankar Mahadevan