Yuvraj Singh is in the twilight of his cricketing career. The 37-year-old World Cup winner nearly went unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 auction before being snapped up by Mumbai Indians at his base price.
Over the years, Yuvraj Singh has struggled to get going in the IPL. Even as doubts remained over his batting form at the highest level, Yuvraj played only eight matches in IPL 2018 and was released by Kings XI Punjab at the end of the season.
Yuvraj, who is not in the national team's scheme of things, had played very little domestic cricket in the lead up to IPL 2019. However, all eyes were on the all-rounder ahead of Mumbai Indians' opening match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium.
Known for making remarkable comebacks, Yuvraj was at it once again as he shone with the bat in his debut for Mumbai Indians, his seventh IPL franchise since the league's inception in 2008.
Mumbai Indians fell short of a steep 214-run target against the Delhi Capitals but Yuvraj's flamboyant cameo should have given the Mumbai camp both relief and joy.
Yuvraj, who walked into bat at No. 4 for Mumbai on Sunday, kept the team's hopes alive in the steep chase even as the likes of captain Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav failed to get going.
Yuvraj smashed 53 runs, including five boundaries and three sixes, from just 35 balls. Yuvraj showed glimpses of his vintage self when he took Delhi left-arm spinner Axar Patel to the cleaners.
Talking up the contribution of Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians' icon, Yuvraj said: "I have been speaking to Sachin as well and he has gone through that time when he was 37-38-39 (and how he felt). Talking to him makes things easier for me. And I am just playing because I enjoy playing cricket pretty much."
.@YUVSTRONG12 barely scores any ugly runs. He is tonight's FBB Stylish Player of the Match #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #OneFamily #MIvDC pic.twitter.com/Px4PRVRIkj
Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 24, 2019
.@sachin_rt is back at the Wankhede along with @MahelaJay #CricketMeriJaan #OneFamily pic.twitter.com/O51SbmbbwF
Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 23, 2019
Till the time I enjoy the game, I am going to play: Yuvraj
Meanwhile, Yuvraj also insisted that he wishes to continue playing the sport for the love of it and that he would hang up his boots when he feels the time is right.
"When the time comes, I will be the first one to hang my boots. The last two years, have been up and down (for me). And I could not decide on what to do," Yuvraj added.
"The main thing for me was why I played the game when I started off. I played the game because I enjoyed playing cricket. When I enjoyed playing cricket, I was not playing for India. I was playing for U-14s and U-16s. So till the time, I enjoy playing cricket, I am going to play."
Yuvraj also lauded Delhi Capitals' young wicketkeeper-batsman who decimated the Mumbai Indians' bowling attack on Sunday.
"He (Pant) had an outstanding season last year as well. He is playing well in Test matches as well. To score two hundreds overseas at such an age (21 years) shows his character. It is important that we groom him well and hopefully, he is the next big thing for us," Yuvraj said.
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