Generously gifted, Yuvraj Singh is looked upon as a strong, fearless natural destined for great things. Two months short of his 19th birthday, he made an almost messianic entry into international cricket, toppling Australia in the Nairobi Mini-World Cup in 2000-01, with a blistering 84 and some scintillating fielding. In time he was to supplement these skills with clever, loopy left-arm spin. While Yuvraj's ability to hit the ball long and clean were instantly recognised, he was soon found to be troubled by quality spin and perceived to lack commitment, traits for which he temporarily lost his place in the one-day side. But on returning, for the last two one-dayers against Zimbabwe in early 2002, he swung the series India's way with a matchwinning innings in each game, and then went to England and played a key role in three Indian chases in their dream run in the NatWest tri-series. It took 15 months more, and an injury to his captain, Sourav Ganguly, for Yuvraj to get a Test look-in. On the third such opportunity, against Pakistan on the first day on a greentop at Lahore, he stroked a stunning century off 110 balls. The 2005-06 season proved to be a watershed for Yuvraj, with 1161 runs at 58 in the one-dayers, as he transformed himself into one of the keystones in India's batting line-up. He was soon preferred over VVS Laxman in Tests when India went in with five batsmen, but a lean series in the West Indies meant that he was still struggling to match potential with performance. Yuvraj picked up his form in one-day cricket, and overcame a knee injury sustained before the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy to book a spot to the 2007 World Cup. India were knocked out early, but Yuvraj continued his form through the year. There were two highlights in the second half of the year: the first, a record six sixes in one Stuart Broad over in a 12-ball fifty during India's fairytale run at the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa, and an awesome Test hundred against Pakistan at Bangalore, which swung the momentum back India's way. Yuvraj was included in India's Test squad for a four-Test series in Australia. He then captained Kings XI Punjab to the semi-finals of the IPL.

Cricinfo staff (June 1, 2008)

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