Recall a memorable inning from the 2011 World Cup when Yuvraj Singh, batting, vomited blood but still battled against all chances to help India win a match.
Revisiting the Game
When India’s captain MS Dhoni won the toss in Chennai, he instructed his openers to warm up against the tournament’s underdogs, West Indies. Due to an injury that kept regular opener Virendra Sehwag out of the previous league, left-handed Gambhir was requested to open alongside Sachin Tendulkar. The openers could not last for long as Sachin walked off acknowledging he had edged Rampaul’s ball on the final ball of the first over despite the umpire missing the nick. Gambhir also left the field in the eighth over as India remained 51-2.
Young players Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli bore the burden of duty. With more than 100 run combinations for the fourth wicket, both players aided India’s comeback. Yuvraj Singh’s bleeding during this particular innings shocked the cricket community to the core, but did the royal give up? NO! He battled and achieved a fantastic century, but little did he realize that he was also battling a cancerous tumor that was developing in his lungs. When Yuvraj Singh left the game in the 45th over, India’s innings ended with a score of 269 and a failure.Since they had prevented India from playing the complete 50 overs, the West Indies were feeling confident, but the Caribbean region didn’t seem to be aware of the caliber of Indian bowling. West Indies were bowled out for a total of 188 runs by the Indian side, which easily won the match.
Despite feeling ill and vomiting blood, Yuvraj Singh was named Man of the Match for his all-around performance in this game, which included a perfect century with the aid of 10 boundaries and 2 sixes as well as two crucial wickets for 18 runs in his four overs.
2011 Cricket World Cup
India finished the 2011 World Cup league stage with four victories, one draw, and just one loss—to South Africa. Following the Proteas in their division, India was positioned second. India went on to win the World Cup close the bay in Mumbai, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Yuvraj Singh was named Man of the Tournament in this World for his all-around efforts, and a few weeks after the triumphant celebration, the cricket fans wept as they learned that the Prince of India had been diagnosed with cancer. However, thanks to his unwavering spirit and will to fight, he overcame the fatal condition and returned to the 22-yard line. The location where he belongs!
