Mohammad Kaif Hails Yuvraj Singh's 58 In The 2000 U-19 WC Semi-Final Against Australia As His Best

Mohammad Kaif scripted history twenty years ago when he became the first Indian captain to lead his country to a U-19 World Cup title.

Kaif and Yuvraj Singh were two of the shining lights that went on to play a key role in a plethora of victories for the national side in the following years, none better than their 2002 Natwest Trophy heist where the duo pulled the Indians from the dead courtesy a whirlwind 121-run-stand.

Yuvraj Singh was a big match player. The bigger the occasion, the brighter the southpaw shone. And, the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup remain a glaring example.

But according to Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh’s best knock came in the semi-final of the 2000 U-19 World Cup against the Australians who boasted of the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson in their line-up.

“That innings of yours in the U-19 World Cup. Australia had some big names in Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson. I think we had lost four wickets for 40-50 runs. For the first time, I saw it a player dominate in that fashion. Had I been in your position, I would have taken some time, tried to build a partnership,” said Mohammad Kaif during an Instagram Live session with Yuvraj Singh.

“But you started hitting shots right realized word go. We realised you had power as you were hitting shots from high backlift. That knock is still fresh in my mind. Out of the many knocks you have played in your career, I will rate that knock against Australia above all as it came at the U19 level.” Kaif said.

Read: Mohammad Kaif Reveals That His Heart Broke When Yuvraj Singh Got Out In The 2002 Natwest Final

Yuvraj Singh thanks Mohammad Kaif for promoting him in the batting-order

Mohammad Kaif went on to hail Yuvraj and his other teammates, whose performances helped him become the first captain to win a U-19 World Cup for India.

“It was because of players like you that we won the U19 World Cup. I get a lot of credit for being the first Indian captain to lift the U19 World Cup title but a captain is of no use if he doesn’t have match-winners in the team. I was very fortunate to have a player like you on the team. That was an unbelievable knock and we knew then that you will play for a long time,” Kaif added.

Coming in at No.4, Yuvraj scored a whirlwind 58 off 25 balls- an innings which included five fours and as many sixes- to help India post an eventual match-winning total of 6-284. Yuvraj, meanwhile, hailed Kaif’s decision of promoting him to the No.4 slot, something that eventually paved way for Yuvi’s shenanigans to take over.

“Thanks for your kind words. It was the World Cup semi-final. We had lost not lost early wickets. Our score after 45 overs was 220/2. You had promoted me in the batting order. Luckily, in the last five overs, I managed to score 50 runs off 20 balls and we reached 282 (284),” Yuvraj said.

Chasing 285 to win, Australia U-19 were eventually bowled out for 114 to give India a mammoth 170-run-win and a ticket to the World Cup final.

Read: Full-Time Commentator Or Coach? Yuvraj Singh Opens Up About His Future Role