Yuvraj Singh - The Story of a Cricketing Legend
Table of Contents
Early Life
Yuvraj Singh was born on December 12, 1981, in Chandigarh, India. He grew up in a family of cricketers, with his father Yograj Singh having played for India, and his mother Shabnam Singh being a former national-level volleyball player. Yuvraj's elder brother, Zoravar Singh, also played cricket at the state level.
From a young age, Yuvraj showed an interest in cricket and started playing in local matches. He attended the DAV Public School in Chandigarh and later went to the Guru Nanak Public School in Chandigarh to pursue his cricketing ambitions. He was part of the under-16 Punjab cricket team and later the under-19 team.
Family Background
Yuvraj's father, Yograj Singh, was a former Indian cricketer who played one Test and six ODIs for the country. Yograj was also a fast bowler and played for Punjab in the domestic circuit. After his cricketing career, Yograj turned to acting and has appeared in several Punjabi and Hindi films.
Yuvraj's mother, Shabnam Singh, was a national-level volleyball player and has also been involved in social work. She runs the YouWeCan Foundation, which aims to create cancer awareness and support cancer patients.
Yuvraj is married to Hazel Keech, a British-Mauritian actress and model. They got married in 2016 in a traditional Sikh ceremony in Chandigarh.
Career Highlights
Yuvraj made his international debut for India in October 2000, in a match against Kenya. He played his first Test match in 2003 against New Zealand and his first ODI match in 2000 against Kenya.
Yuvraj is best known for his heroics in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. In the T20 World Cup, Yuvraj scored 148 runs and took 6 wickets, including a stunning performance in the semi-final against Australia where he hit Stuart Clark for six sixes in an over. He was named the Player of the Tournament and helped India win the trophy.
In the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj played a crucial role in India's campaign, scoring 362 runs and taking 15 wickets. He was named the Player of the Tournament and helped India win the World Cup after 28 years.
Yuvraj played for India in all formats of the game, scoring over 8,000 runs in ODIs, 1,900 runs in Tests, and over 1,000 runs in T20Is. He also took over 150 wickets across formats and was a handy fielder, taking over 100 catches in his career.
Income
Yuvraj has been a highly paid cricketer throughout his career, earning millions of dollars in endorsements and match fees. According to reports, his net worth is estimated to be around $35 million.
Yuvraj has been associated with several brands, including Puma, Reebok, and LG. He has also endorsed products like Revital, Cadbury, and Pepsi. In 2014, Yuvraj launched his own brand of sports and lifestyle products called YWC (YouWeCan) in partnership with designers Shantanu and Nikhil.
Retirement
Yuvraj announced his retirement from international cricket in June 2019, after a career spanning nearly two decades. He played his last international match for India in June 2017 against the West Indies in a T20I match.
After retiring from cricket, Yuvraj has been involved in various businesses and philanthropic activities. He has also been actively involved in the YouWeCan Foundation, which he started in 2012 to create cancer awareness and support cancer patients.
Awards and Honours
Yuvraj has been honoured with several awards and recognitions for his contributions to Indian cricket. Some of his notable awards and honours include:
- Arjuna Award (2012)
- Padma Shri (2014)
- CEAT International Cricketer of the Year (2007)
- Player of the Tournament in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2019)
Conclusion
Yuvraj Singh is one of India's most beloved cricketers, known for his flamboyant strokeplay and his ability to perform under pressure. He has been a vital cog in India's success in major tournaments, including the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Off the field, Yuvraj has been actively involved in various philanthropic activities, including cancer awareness and support for cancer patients through his YouWeCan Foundation.
Yuvraj's legacy as a cricketer and a humanitarian will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers and social activists.