IPL 8: Yuvraj Singh key to Delhi Daredevils' success

                                                        pic credit:cricketcountry

Yuvraj Singh arrived in international cricket as an 18-year old who had a reputation of hitting the cricket ball extremely hard. That was on full display when he fearlessly smashed a full-strength Australian attack that had Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, and Brett Lee, on his way to an 80-ball 84 the first time he batted in the international game, and in only his second ODI.
Yuvraj rose through the ranks and quickly established himself as one of the most vital cogs in the Indian ODI set-up. He played an instrumental role in India's title win in the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20, where he famously struck six sixes off a Stuart Broad over on the way to scoring a half-century in just 12 balls - a record that stands
to date.

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With an established middle order of the golden generation - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly - making up the core of India's line-up in Tests, opportunities were hard to come by for Yuvraj in the longer format. The stop-start nature of his Test career meant Yuvraj never found the same rhythm in whites that made him the free-stroking, big-hitting, stylish left-hander opponents the world over feared in coloured clothing.


However, even in Tests, he had some standout knocks. Against Pakistan in December 2007, he stroked his way to 169, having come together with Ganguly when India were 61 for 4 to take the side to a massive 626. A year later, he made an unbeaten 85 when India chased down a 387-run target against England, partnering Tendulkar - who made a century - in an unbroken 163-run stand as India won by six wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, an emotional moment that was widely celebrated because it came in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

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Yuvraj's defining moment, however, came in the 2011 World Cup where he won four Man of the Match awards. His all-round efforts - 362 runs, alongside 15 wickets - were instrumental in India lifting the World Cup after 28 years, and he was duly named Man of the Tournament. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Yuvraj was diagnosed with a rare form of malignant lung tumour shortly after, and had to take extensive treatment before returning fully cured.
In the IPL, Yuvraj has always been in big demand for his natural striking power and star power. He was with Kings XI Punjab in the first three seasons as their 'icon' player, and was then bought by the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2011. He proved he remained a big draw when Royal Challengers Bangalore shelled out a record Rs 14 crore for him in the 2014 auctions, and when he was released by the franchise, he sent bids even higher in 2015 - finally ending with Delhi Daredevils.



If some of the brilliance he showed in 2014 is anything to go by, Yuvraj still has lots to offer to any team he's part of. Last year, he hit 68 not out off 29 balls against Delhi, showing he could still give nightmares to bowlers. Despite an up-and-down run of form, he ended as Bangalore's second-highest scorer last year. In 2015, he will be reunited with the coach who was the guiding hand in India's World Cup win, working with Gary Kirsten at Delhi. If the two can rework their magic, Delhi will be smiling all through.

Past IPL performance

Yuvraj was named captain of Kings XI Punjab after the 2008 auctions. He began in great fashion and was at his lethal best in the inaugural edition. He didn't enjoy as fruitful a time later, and in the third season, Kumar Sangakkara was appointed captain instead of Yuvraj.
Pune shelled out $US 1.8 million for Yuvraj in 2011 and he topped the team's batting charts that year, before being forced to miss the 2012 edition due to his battle against cancer.
Bangalore then bought him in 2014, but even though he was released, they fought Delhi till the last to buy him back, only backing off when the price reached Rs 16 crore.

Recent form/record

Yuvraj has been in good nick in the 2014-15 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he has made 115 runs from four games so far at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 151.31.
What makes him dangerous?
Yuvraj's wide range of strokes, combined with his incredible hitting prowess make for a lethal combination. He is more than a handy left-arm spinner and is a viable choice as a team's fifth bowler. While he may not be as electric on the outfield as he was in his heyday, he still has a safe pair of hands. When on song, he can take apart the best bowling attacks in the world.

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