Yuvraj Singh Wanted To Finish His Career On A High By Performing Well In IPL 2019

Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has shed light on the closing stages of his career. During the show, Free Hit with Sportskeeda, Yuvraj Singh has revealed that he wanted to call it a day after having a productive IPL season in 2019. The World Cup-winning all-rounder did not have the desired edition and retired from all forms of cricket in June that year. Yuvraj Singh was one of those few players, who played for several franchises in the cash-rich league including Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and finally Mumbai Indians.

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Yet, in contrast with his international career, the left-handed batsman could not flourish in the IPL. In 2019, Mumbai Indians opted for him and the veteran began the season on a promising note before his form went for a toss. In Yuvraj’s first game for the four-time champions, he scored a fifty against the Delhi Capitals. Gradually, the all-rounder could play in only four matches, managing 98 runs.

Yuvraj Singh cited that as his 2018 edition was not good, the 2019 season being his last, he wanted to finish on a high. The Punjab all-rounder mentioned that he was not eyeing an international return as Ambati Rayudu was beginning to find his feet at the number four position in the ODI team. Hence, he wanted to end his career on a high note by performing well in the 12th season of the IPL.

“See I did not have a good 2018 IPL so I thought that this (2019 edition) is my last IPL and I want to finish on a high and say goodbye. I was not really thinking about international cricket you know. Because Ambati Rayudu was playing in the number four spot and was doing well so I thought the team had moved on. So I really wanted to have a good IPL and then end my career. I started well in the IPL but it did not go well and there were young guys who were doing well,” Yuvraj stated.

“So I realised that it was time to move on” : Yuvraj Singh

A two-time World Cup winner, Yuvraj Singh was diagnosed with cancer during the 2011 World Cup. Despite that, he went on to play some marvellous knocks and picked crucial wickets to earn the man of the tournament award. The confirmation of cancer and the treatment there on saw him sidelined after which he could not perform to the best of his abilities.

The 38-year old stated that having played 400 international games, he was mostly satisfied with his achievements. However, he was stressed mentally by continuously fighting for his place in the Indian team. Hence, for remaining happy, Yuvraj decided to move on. He featured in 304 ODIs, 40 Tests, and 58 T20Is.

“I have almost played 400 games for India. I was diagnosed with cancer at the peak of my career. So it was just that I was mostly satisfied and it was causing me a lot of stress mentally and I was not able to sleep properly and I wanted to be happy personally. So I realised that it was time to move on,” he added.

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