Yuvraj Singh is a former Indian international cricketer who played as a left-handed middle-order batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. Widely regarded as one of India's finest limited-overs all-rounders, he was a central figure in India's victories at the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. He is particularly remembered for striking six sixes in an over off England's Stuart Broad during the 2007 World Twenty20 in Durban.
| Full name | Yuvraj Singh |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 December 1981, Chandigarh, India |
| Father | Yograj Singh (former India cricketer) |
| Spouse | Hazel Keech (married 2016) |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Slow left-arm orthodox |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Test debut | 16 October 2003 vs New Zealand, Mohali |
| ODI debut | 3 October 2000 vs Kenya, Nairobi |
| T20I debut | 1 December 2006 vs South Africa, Johannesburg |
| Domestic team | Punjab |
| IPL teams | Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors India, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians |
| International retirement | 10 June 2019 |
| Honours | Arjuna Award (2012), Padma Shri (2014) |
Yuvraj was born in Chandigarh to Yograj Singh, a former India Test cricketer, and Shabnam Singh. He was introduced to cricket and tennis early, and in his teenage years won the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in 1999–2000, scoring a notable double century. He captained India to the 2000 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title in Sri Lanka, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
Yuvraj made his ODI debut against Kenya in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy in Nairobi and announced himself with a counter-attacking 84 against Australia in his second match. Through the early 2000s he established himself as a dependable middle-order finisher and an outstanding fielder, particularly at point. He was part of the Indian squad that reached the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
During the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa, Yuvraj struck six sixes in a single over from Stuart Broad in the Super Eights match against England at Kingsmead, Durban, on 19 September 2007. In the same innings he reached a fifty off 12 balls, then the fastest in international Twenty20 cricket. India went on to win the tournament under captain MS Dhoni.
Yuvraj was the Player of the Tournament at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets, and was named Man of the Match four times during the campaign. India won the final at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on 2 April 2011, defeating Sri Lanka.
Shortly after the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj was diagnosed with a rare germ-cell tumour in his lung. He underwent chemotherapy in Boston, United States, in early 2012. He returned to international cricket in September 2012 during a T20I series against New Zealand and was subsequently selected for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. Although his form fluctuated thereafter, he was recalled for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 final, and later played a key role in India's 2017 ICC Champions Trophy campaign in England, including a 150 against England in an ODI at Cuttack in January 2017.
Yuvraj announced his retirement from international cricket on 10 June 2019 in Mumbai. He subsequently registered for global T20 leagues and played in tournaments such as the Global T20 Canada and the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Yuvraj was associated with multiple franchises across his IPL career, beginning with Kings XI Punjab, whom he also captained. In the 2015 auction he was bought by Delhi Daredevils for ₹16 crore, and in 2016 by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹7 crore, winning the title with the latter that season. He later represented Mumbai Indians in 2019.
Yuvraj was known for clean ball-striking, particularly through the off side, and for his finishing in run chases. His left-arm spin proved a useful sixth-bowler option, especially during the 2011 World Cup. Beyond statistics, his comeback from cancer made him a prominent figure in public health awareness in India.
In 2012, Yuvraj founded the YouWeCan Foundation, a non-profit focused on cancer awareness, early detection, and survivor support. The foundation has run screening drives and supported patients across several Indian states.
Yuvraj married British-Mauritian actress Hazel Keech in November 2016, with ceremonies held in Chandigarh and Goa. The couple's son was born in 2022.