When an 18-year-old Yuvraj Singh made a mockery of the Australian bowlers in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000, smashing a match-winning knock of 84 in only his second match, India and world cricket looked on in awe.
Here was a hitter and timer of the ball who was in a class of his own. His many powerful knocks powered India to some fantastic wins. But if there was one crowning glory of his hitting prowess, it was the six sixes he took off a hapless England bowler Stuart Broad during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. It was carnage and beauty at the same time.
The last 24 months, however, have witnessed an apparent dip in his form and fitness. Yuvraj has been in scratchy form in his last 20 ODIs, having scored just 440 runs at an average of 27.5 and a strike rate of 69.73 as compared to his career figures of 36.61 and 87.65 respectively.
No one doubts the special talent he possesses but his attitude in recent times has been way off-target. The Yuvraj, which we were accustomed to see was lot more bubbly and a live-wire on the field. The southpaw which we knew was one of the best timers of the ball has been no way near his true class in the recent past.
With more than 15,000 runs under his belt, the World Cup in the subcontinent is his chance at redemption and there is no reason why he cannot pull it off.
Even during the warm-up game against Australia on Sunday, Yuvraj had to fight for his runs. The image of the free-flowing Yuvraj seems like a picture of the past. But all he needs is one good outing in the middle. And his teammates and opponents are all aware that once he gets into his stride then there will be no looking back for the southpaw.
No one in Team India can time the ball better than him. His flick on the on-side and his lusty blows can get the crowds and fans get into a tizzy.
All he needs is that head on his shoulders stays in the right place. Yuvraj has always played his best on the biggest stage. And it doesn't get bigger than winning the World Cup at home.
It's time again to see the Yuvraj who walked in and plundered the opposition, forced them into submission, and gave Indian cricket some of its most memorable moments.
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